Leicester City v West Ham United: All you need to know
WHUFC.com
The Hammers head into the final week of the season on Saturday with a trip
to mid-table Leicester City. With three games to go David Moyes' men still
need points to make sure of their Premier League status and they will be
targeting three of them at the King Power Stadium.
Where and when?
Leicester City v West Ham United
King Power Stadium
Saturday 5 May 2018. 3pm
Premier League
How to follow:
This match is not being broadcast live in the UK, however you may be able to
watch from overseas. Click here for broadcast information in your territory.
Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter
account.
You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.
You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and
Snapchat channels.
Live audio commentary will be available on whufc.com and BBC Radio London
94.9FM
Team news:
David Moyes has confirmed that Andy Carroll is in this squad for Saturday's
trip to Leicester City, and the striker will compete with Marko Arnautovic,
Chicharito and Jordan Hugill for a starting position. James Collins and
Pedro Obiang are back in training following their injuries, but Saturday's
game will come too soon for them to make a comeback. Winston Reid, Sam Byram
and Michail Antonio remain on the long-term injury list, although Joe Hart
is available again after he was ineligible for last weekend's visit of
Manchester City.
Leicester are expected to be without Wilfred Ndidi, while Marc Albrighton is
suspended after being sent-off at Crystal Palace last week.
What they say:
The only thought we can have in our heads is to go there to win, simple as
that. Mark Noble
Match Officials:
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant Referees: Daniel Cook & Mick McDonagh
Fourth Official: Bobby Madley
How to get there:
Leicester railway station is approximately 1.2 miles from King Power
Stadium, which is roughly a five-minute car journey or a 20-minute walk.
By Train
The postcode for the King Power Stadium is LE2 7FL. Parking information can
be found at https://www.lcfc.com/king-power-stadium/parking-travel
By Car
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Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: Leicester City
WHUFC.com
Leicester welcome West Ham to the King Power Stadium this weekend, having
lost just two of their last 15 home games in all competitions. The Foxes
have taken four points from matches against Tottenham and Manchester United
in that sequence, and went all the way to penalties with Manchester City in
the EFL Cup quarter final. But, despite that impressive record, Claude
Puel's side are not untouchable. The hosts have taken just one point from
their last four league games, and haven't won in five at home in all
competitions. So West Ham – who have only been beaten by Manchester City and
Arsenal in their last five – are easily capable of claiming at least a
point. Regardless of the result, this fixture tends to provide plenty of
entertainment, with both teams finding the net in nine of the last eleven
meetings between the two. So, given that there have been goals at both ends
in all of the Hammers' last six on the road and five of Leicester's last six
at the King Power, this game shouldn't disappoint. Goals have been evenly
spread throughout the squad recently, but Marko Arnautovic stands out as the
best bet to register for the visitors. Four of Arnautovic's last seven goals
have come away from the London Stadium, and the Hammers' top scorer has
bagged three in his last six appearances. And, just like last week, it's
also worth backing there to be fewer than 3.5 cards in the game. David
Moyes' side have seen only seven yellow cards in their last six league
matches, while Leicester's players have been issued with just one card in
their last three.
Recommended bets
West Ham double chance and BTTS – 13/8
Marko Arnautovic to score anytime – 17/10
Under 3.5 cards – 8/13
Back this #BetYourWay pick at 8/1
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Moyes: Massive games, finding consistency and Evra's experience
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says West Ham United are in positive mood as they prepare to
head to Leicester City on Saturday. The Hammers need a win at the King Power
Stadium to all but secure their top-flight safety, and the manager is
confident his squad will rise to the occasion. On Friday morning, the boss
welcomed the media to Rush Green for his pre-match press conference. Here is
what he had to say…
We've got three massive games to play
All the games now are massive, but when I came in in November I thought they
were massive then, so it's not as though anything has really changed. This
is certainly a really big game for us, but we've got three games to go and
we've got to make sure we're good in them all. We've got three games to win,
so we're going to try and win all three of them. The first one is at
Leicester and if we can win all three of the games we might find ourselves
quite high up the table, so that's the job we're going to try and do. If we
have a defeat, we've got two other games to put it right, so we're fortunate
we have that extra game. We're going to Leicester with a positive mindset.
We've got three games to go, so we're not going to be downbeat. We hope the
ability we've got in areas of the pitch will give us the chance to win.
We all know what is at stake
The players are in good spirits, despite losing 4-1 to Manchester City last
weekend. We were really disappointed with how we played, even against the
champions but, overall, we're keen to put it right and their motivation and
attitude have been very good. The players and staff know exactly what's at
stake, so we'll all work together and try to get a result. I've enjoyed the
challenge of managing West Ham United since I arrived in November and, in
the main, we've had some good results because we've got good players here. I
think there are things we can do much better. West Ham quite often give you
a high, then quite often give you a few lows after that, so it's something
I'd like to correct. I'd like to get a little more consistency. Our record
since we came in would have us nearer mid-table than where we are currently,
so I've got to get that consistency, but at the moment the only focus is on
winning the next game and getting the three points at Leicester, if we can.
Patrice Evra's experience is invaluable
Patrice Evra has been fantastic around the Club since he arrived in
February. His level of professionalism is at an unbelievable level with the
way he goes about his work and the way he is in the dressing room. The
people who work with him and people who have had him all say the same. If
you look at the games we've played him in, two of them have been against the
very best teams in this country, one of whom is in the Champions League
final and the other ran away with the Premier League. So, I think you have
to give him a little bit of leeway because two of the games have been
against top teams, and we play him in those games because we understand how
good he is and because he's been used to playing in big games throughout his
career.
I wish Steven Gerrard the best in management
Steven Gerrard is taking his first step into management with Glasgow
Rangers, having previously coached Liverpool's Academy teams. Steven is a
really good guy and he's joining a great football club with big traditions,
big support in a good city, so why would he not take it on? He'll take on
the challenge, but until you've been in the situation of being a manager,
you don't know what it's like. Your first job in management is very hard
because it doesn't matter how good a player you were as it doesn't prepare
you for management, except for you've had the experience of being in
dressing rooms with top managers. I think it'll give Steven a great chance,
but there is a lot of pressure managing Glasgow Rangers.
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Noble determined to reward traveling fans' loyalty with Leicester win
WHUFC.com
Mark Noble is determined to reward the loyalty of the Claret and Blue Army
when West Ham United travel to Leicester City on Saturday. Hammers
supporters have traveled more than 5,000 miles to the Club's 18 away Premier
League matches so far, but have witnessed just two victories – at Stoke City
in December and Huddersfield Town in January. And captain Noble says the
players are eager to reward the commitment of those fans by securing a
victory that would go a long way to securing West Ham's future in the top
flight. "The only thought we can have in our heads is to go there to win,
simple as that," said the skipper, who scored at both Stoke and
Huddersfield. "That's the only option we've got, to go and have a right go
and try and win the game. "Leicester are safe and we know their atmosphere
is always good, but I think we need to go there to win the game. We've just
got to play our game and let the rest take care of itself. We've got the
players to win the game and I believe we can go there and win. "We've only
won two away games this season and that stat needs to change. We need to
have three away wins by Saturday night, full stop. If we do that, we'll have
a great chance of getting ourselves safe."
Noble also reflected further on last Sunday's 4-1 home defeat by Manchester
City. When asked to reflect on the game minutes after the final whistle,
Noble said the champions were the best team he had ever faced in the Premier
League, but he told whufc.com that the result had not come through lack of
effort or belief on the Hammers' part. "Man City got a deflected goal to
start and an own-goal and we've all seen them play the way they did in the
second half against better teams than us. They did it to Chelsea and
Tottenham and sometimes you have to admit they're too good. There is no
shame in that, and that's why they won the title with five games to spare.
"We went into the game last Sunday knowing it was going to be tough but
believing we could get something out of it, like we did against Chelsea and
against Arsenal and against Tottenham this season, but sometimes you can't
get what you want. "What we all want this Saturday is three points and
that's all we're focusing on at the minute. The Manchester City game is
behind us now and we are totally focused on beating Leicester."
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Adrian: We need to be solid and together to get the points
WHUFC.com
Adrian says the positivity of his West Ham United teammates could be crucial
as they head to Leicester City on Saturday. The Hammers make the trip to the
King Power Stadium knowing they are still in need of points to secure
Premier League safety and the No13 is in no mood to hang about collecting
them. With three games left to play in the campaign's final week, Adrian
knows victory on Saturday would reduce the stress on the final two, so three
points is all he has his mind on. "Our spirit will help us over the last
three games," he said. "We have to be together and we have to be solid as a
team, defending and attacking. We have to finish well, we have to get some
good points as soon as possible, and we have to be a football team [to do
that]. "We need to go back to the beginning, back to the basics. Defend well
as a team, and then attack quickly on the counter attack as we did in the
first games under the manager. "We expect a hard game. Leicester had a bad
game last time, like us, and we have to learn from that. If we do well as we
did before this run, we can get a good result. "Our aim is to be safe as
soon as possible, and if we can get the win at Leicester, then we can look
to finish as high as possible. The first thing is getting three points and
Leicester is the first game. We will go there to win. "I'm probably one of
the most positive people here, but we are all positive! We are all focused
on Saturday's game because we know we need the three points."
As well maintaining as a positive mindset, Adrian says the Hammers will
learn from the defensive errors which contributed to their defeats against
Arsenal and Manchester City in their last two games. He added: "We have to
learn the lessons on our defensive shape. We gave away easy goals, and we
have to do better from the strikers right through to the defenders and
goalkeeper. "We have to learn from this and stop conceding easy goals. We
need to be ready to keep the clean sheet first, score the first goal and
then be able to defend the result."
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Collison backs Claret and Blue Army to inspire Hammers
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison has backed West Ham United's travelling Claret and Blue Army
to inspire David Moyes' team to a crucial victory at Leicester City on
Saturday. More than 3,000 loyal Hammers fans will be making their way up to
the King Power Stadium for our final away match of the campaign, hoping for
three points against the Foxes that would virtually guarantee top flight
football next season. Many have been ever-presents at West Ham's 19 Premier
League away matches this season, covering thousands of miles on return
trips, from Bournemouth all the way up to Newcastle. Former midfielder
Collison, who is now back where it all began for him at the Chadwell Heath
Academy, as a coach for the U16 and U14 sides, enjoyed many memorable away
matches during his seven seasons as a first-team player, and insists there
is something very special about our travelling support.
"West Ham are lucky in that we have always had one of the best away
followings of any club in the country," he said. "We always take thousands,
no matter who the opposition, how far away it is, or what day and time it's
played. It could be on a Monday night up north, live on TV, and we would
still have a big away crowd.
"They certainly make themselves heard and, for the players, that is vital.
You go to some big stadiums and if you run out for the warm-up and hear your
fans singing louder than the home crowd, it immediately gives you a lift.
"I'm sure it will be no different at Leicester on Saturday. The fans know
how big a game it is, it's their last away day of the season, the sun will
hopefully be shining and they will play their part. "I know for a fact,
having been in that dressing room, the boys really appreciate the fact that
the away fans spend their time and money, and the lengths they go to
following the team around the country. They have had some tough days this
season, but they've stayed loyal and behind the team, and on Saturday the
lads need that more than ever."
Thursday marked the sixth anniversary of a memorable away day in Collison's
career – the Championship Play-Off semi-final second leg at Cardiff – when
his double strike against the Bluebirds sealed a 3-0 aggregate won and a
trip to Wembley for the final against Blackpool, an encounter that saw the
Hammers bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. "Cardiff was
a real memorable one," he says. "I remember scoring at the home end and
heading off to run towards our fans at the other end, but had to stop on the
halfway line because I was knackered! "I also recall going up to Coventry
that season and taking about 7,000 fans – it was almost like a home game for
us. "Scoring a goal away is always a unique feeling, because the home fans
go silent and it's just you and your group celebrating together. "I remember
playing at Newcastle, where the away fans are up in the Gods, and Craig
Bellamy scoring for us. The roar seemed to take ages to come down from the
top of the stand but, when it hit us, it was a special moment. "I think one
of the best things I've seen at an away game though was just a couple of
weeks ago, at Arsenal, when James Collins was right in the middle of our
fans. "The fact that one of our players can sit in among the fans, enjoy the
game and cheer on the lads with everyone, is testament to our support. You
won't find any better."
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Team news: Carroll in squad, Collins and Obiang still out
WHUFC.com
David Moyes confirmed that Andy Carroll will be part of West Ham United's
matchday squad for Saturday's Premier League fixture at Leicester City.
There had been speculation in the media over Carroll's position after the
centre forward was fined for leaving the Hammers bench early during last
weekend's home defeat by Manchester City. Speaking in his pre-match press
conference, Moyes said the matter was now closed and the No9 will be part of
his thinking at the King Power Stadium. "We've fined him, he has apologised
to both the players and myself, so we've moved on and we're quite happy now
that it's done and dusted," the manager explained. "Andy was in the squad
last weekend, that's why he was on the bench, and he'll be in the squad this
weekend too. "It's certainly resolved as far as I'm concerned."
Moving onto other team news, the manager admitted that Pedro Obiang and
James Collins both need more time on the training pitch before they can be
considered for Premier League football again. Obiang has been out with a
knee injury since late January, while Collins has been side-lined with a
hamstring problem since mid-March. "Neither of them are in a condition to do
that (be named in the matchday squad at Leicester) yet. Thankfully both of
them are back doing some training, but neither of them are at a level of
being match-fit."
Finally, Moyes admitted he has yet to decide who will keep goal at the King
Power Stadium, with Joe Hart available again after missing the Manchester
City match due to the terms of his loan agreement. "I've got a decision to
make on them both. Joe has been in and Adrian has been in, but unfortunately
for Joe it was because it was his parent club last week, so I've got a
decision to make."
West Ham will be without long-term absentees Winston Reid (knee), Sam Byram
(ankle) and Michail Antonio (hamstring) on Saturday.
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Leicester City v West Ham United
BBC.co.uk
Claude Puel's Leicester have lost three of their last four Premier League
matches and conceded nine goals in the process.
TEAM NEWS
Leicester will be without the suspended Marc Albrighton following his
sending off at Crystal Palace last week. Vicente Iborra's hamstring injury
will be assessed while Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazaki are also doubts.
Andy Carroll is included in the West Ham squad after apologising for his
conduct as an unused substitute during last week's defeat by Manchester
City. Joe Hart is available, having been ineligible last weekend, but Pedro
Obiang and James Collins are out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Alistair Mann: "It's hard to gauge whether this is a good time for West Ham
to meet Leicester City or not. "They are seemingly facing a team with little
to play for and in dreadful recent form; on the other hand, with Leicester's
season limply petering out, their supporters will demand a response to the
Foxes' biggest defeat of the campaign last weekend. "Like their hosts, the
visitors are winless in four games since recording what seemed a decisive
victory against Southampton at the end of March; with the Saints now
rallying, David Moyes' team are by no means secure. "The Hammers will
certainly not want to leave their fate to the outcome of their final two
matches, against Moyes' old clubs Manchester United and Everton."
Twitter: @alistairmann01
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Leicester manager Claude Puel: "We are aware of what we want for the end of
the season and next season. We must keep our concentration... "We have to
play with character and fighting spirit. It's a tough situation but we must
give our best and the players must show their quality."
West Ham manager David Moyes: "We have got three games to win," Moyes said.
"If we can win all three of those games then we might find ourselves quite
high up the table so that is what we are going to try to do. "The mood is
good. We were really disappointed with how we played, even against the
champions, but overall they are keen to put it right."
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
The vultures are circling around Leicester boss Claude Puel and he
desperately needs a home win before the end of the season - his side have
not managed that in the league since the middle of January.
Prediction: 2-1
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Leicester are undefeated in six matches against West Ham, winning four and
drawing the other two.
West Ham are winless in five Premier League trips to Leicester since a 3-1
victory at Filbert Street in January 2000.
Leicester City
Leicester have won only two of their past 11 Premier League matches, away at
West Brom and Brighton (D4, L5).
The Foxes are winless in five home league games since beating Watford 2-0 in
January.
They currently have 44 points, matching their final tally for last season.
Leicester have been shown a league-high five red cards in 2017-18.
Claude Puel is unbeaten in all four matches he has managed against David
Moyes (W2, D2).
West Ham United
West Ham have won just one of their last eight league fixtures and been
beaten by a three-goal margin in each of their five defeats during that
spell.
There have been 30 goals in West Ham's past eight league matches, but David
Moyes' side have scored just nine of them.
The Hammers have conceded 67 goals this campaign; their Premier League club
record is 70, set in 2010-11 - a season that ended in relegation.
They have scored in each of their last 10 away matches, which equals their
Premier League club record.
Marko Arnautovic has been involved in eight goals in his last seven away
games (five goals, three assists).
SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 27%
Probability of home win: 44% Probability of away win: 29%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of
football matches
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Tony Henry: West Ham ex-head of recruitment charged over African player
comments
BBc.co.uk
West Ham's former director of player recruitment Tony Henry has been charged
with misconduct by the FA over claims he said the club would not sign any
more African players. The decision follows a report by the Daily Mail which
carried quotes from Henry stating African players "cause mayhem" when they
are not in the team. Henry was sacked after the club said his comments were
"unacceptable". He has until 15 May to respond to the FA charge.
An FA statement said his comments were alleged to be "improper and/or
insulting and/or abusive" and any breach of rules is aggravated because it
included a reference to ethnic origin. Hammers manager David Moyes has said
that Henry recommended two players from the African continent during the
January transfer window. The Scot said the club were "very, very close" to
signing Leicester's Algeria forward Islam Slimani, who joined Newcastle on
loan, and Lille's Cameroon defender Ibrahim Amadou.
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Leicester City v West Ham United
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2018
By: Preview Percy
This week Preview Percy tries desperately to look at this weekend's visit to
Leicester without mentioning beaches.And fails....
Next up it's up the M1 we go following signs in the general direction of the
National Space Centre (it still amuses me that we have a "Mission Control
Leicester") where we will be hosted by Leicester City. Kick off is at God's
appointed time of 3pm on Saturday which is good. Stuff going on between
Shenfield and Southend Victoria but the East Midlands mainline looks clear.
Check before you leave as ever.
So Leicester then. See if you can find a preview anywhere that doesn't
employ the phrase "already on the beach" with respect to our hosts. Not this
one though. Well, apart from this bit obviously.
They sit in 9th place at present with 44 points from the 35 games played so
far. That's four points behind Everton in 8th over whom they have a game in
hand. That's also a full 10 points behind Burnley who occupy what would
appear to be the final Thursday Night League qualification slot. Not much to
play for then, but I'm still not mentioning that beach though. Apart from
this bit. And the previous bit.
Their last outing was what you might call eventful, going down as they did
5-0 at Palace. That match featured a sending off for Marc Albrighton for
denial of goalscoring opportunity – though it was at best 50-50 as to
whether or not Zaha would have beaten Hamer to the ball. Albrighton then
faced a further charge for his conduct at the referee, a certain Mike Dean.
Now one day when the truth comes out about this official I am going to set
up an ambulance chasing style legal company which will bombard players and
clubs with annoying phonecalls and ask them, in the style of those people
who try and get you compensation for mis-sold PP!, whether or they have had
any financial loss at the hands of Dean. I'd take a reasonable percentage
for my trouble of course – 10% should enable me to by myself my own island
hideaway somewhere nice and warm.
At the time of writing I haven't seen the result of the additional charge
but frankly, if asked for the grounds of appeal, Albrighton should merely
say "Mike Dean" and put his feet up.
There will, of course, be a bit of a frisson in and around the directors
seats this weekend. In January we apparently made an enquiry as to the
availability of Islam Slimani during the January window. This enquiry was
given the cold shoulder, apparently the result of yet another disastrous
entry in the Baroness's newspaper column. It seems the Baroness managed to
insult Leicester's owner suggesting that he had calmly spent £500,000 on
wine the night he had sacked Ranieri. Despite subsequent apology, it is said
that their Thai owners are still not overly pleased with Brady. So the
atmosphere is likely to be a bit on the cool side. The board has said that
they will be going to the match but don't know where they will be sitting.
Which raises the question "is there any part of the ground in which GSB will
actually be welcome?
Still it's a good job we don't actually do public relations disasters at our
club or we'd really be in trouble, wouldn't we. In the meantime can anyone
out there tell me of a job where you can continually write stuff that would
cause reputational damage to your employer without getting you dismissed or
disciplined? Just asking for a friend you understand.
In the end Slimani went out on loan to Newcastle where he managed to end his
season early by re-enacting the famous kicking of Bishop Brennan up the arse
scene from Father Ted with a West Brom player taking the role of Bishop
Brennan.
The work experience kid of as yet to be determined gender wearing a hoodie
who seems only able to communicate with some strange grunting noises tells
me that officially two players came in during that window/, although in
actuality those two were really just the one. Confused? Well it's like this.
Technically speaking, Adrien Silva arrived in January. In fact they signed
the player back in summer but thanks to the fax work going through 14
seconds too late FIFA banned him from playing until the next window. Funnily
enough something similar happened at Arsenal a few years ago but their
signing was allowed to play immediately. Funny that.
The other arrival in January was Fousseni Diabate. The undisclosed fee paid
to former club Gazelec Ajaccio (translation: Corsican Gasworks XI) was
apparently £2m. Although capped at age level by Mali, he was born in France
meaning that his EU passport came in handy come transfer time, with all that
tedious counting up of full international caps and percentages and all that
stuff neatly avoided. Which raises the question again as to what's going to
happen to all these players post-Brexit?
There may be a return between the posts for Kaspar "son of Rudolph"
Schmeichel who has been out for a few games with a dodgy ankle. He is rated
50-50 at the time of writing with Hamer in line to deputise should Lurpak
not be available.
Also unlikely to feature is Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki who, after all
that throwing himself to the ground that he is so fond of now has a real
injury to contend with, another ankle problem looking likely to keep him out
of the side. And, as if the Palace match wasn't eventful enough for them
with five goals shipped and one of their better players sent off, they also
lost Wilfred "Yes" Ndidi with a hamstring injury which will keep him away
from proceedings on Saturday. Ndidi won the club's "Young Player Of The
Year" award which will come as scant consolation should the hamstring keep
him out of Nigeria's World Cup squad this summer.
One who will be available is Rat Boy Jamie Vardy. He turned up on the box
last week to deny that the players had any problem with Manager Claude Puel.
The only problem with the interview was that he made a less than convincing
witness, having the air of all those people who appeared on the box telling
us that Robert Maxwell was a great guy just after he'd died.
It is said that the owners held a meeting after the Palace debacle and that
Puel may only have until the end of the season to prove he can still get
something out of the side.
And so to us. Well ok nobody was expecting much out of that game but the
manner of the defeat was disappointing to put it mildly. It's very galling
to lose a game containing five goals when you have scored three of them.
Annoyingly there was a spell in that match where we actually worked out how
to get ourselves into the game. Firstly we suffered from the officials going
all gooey-eyed at Man City, firstly denying Arnautovic a goal for a foul
that wouldn't have been given up the other end. Then Fernandes got upended
in the box only for Swarbrick to give a free-kick a few yards away.
Thankfully the officials couldn't come up with a good reason to disallow
Cresswell's splendid free-kick, though I am sure they might have done given
a few more minutes. The big problem was having worked out what to do we came
out after the interval and promptly stopped doing it.
Of course the refereeing incompetence wasn't all one way, they should have
had a penalty when Cresswell took Sterling's legs away. However that error
was sort of understandable. After all if you aren't sure with Sterling and
assume that he has dived, you are going to be right more often than you are
wrong. See also Zaha and, more relevantly, Vardy.
Injury news is a bit odd. Having spent the last few months being on the "see
you next season" list Obiang is now said to be close to a return. This one
seems to have been a week or so too early though. Ginge will be similarly
absent.
Then there is Carroll. When he discovered that he wasn't amongst the three
deckchairs to be rearranged on the Titanic on Sunday he disappeared down the
tunnel with a burst of speed not seen all day by a West Ham player. "I
needed the bog" was, apparently, the none-too convincing excuse. Which went
down about as well as Jeremy Corbyn at a Bar Mitzvah when it came to
training the following week. Words were exchanged with Moyes and the player
sent home with a note for his parents as to why he had been a bad boy.
Fast forward 24 hours and the player apparently apologised to the manager
and all is sweetness and light again. I can only think that the player's
sudden Damascene conversion might have something to do with the fact that,
by getting himself some sort of internal suspension he would be severely
limiting his scope of getting game time. I mean it's bad enough being out
injured but when that bullet wound is self-inflicted…
Well we are at the stage of the season where we are nervously glancing over
our shoulders. Which makes you look back on matches like Stoke at home where
we seemed to set up with a "must avoid defeat" mentality. We achieved that I
suppose but the extra two points we should have been going for would have
seen us safe to all intents and purposes. I guess that there's a possibility
we'll set up the same way for this one – if results go the expected way over
the next few days that point could be enough. The problem I have is that
word "could".
We should be capable of a win but frankly this will depend on whether they
players are told to give it a go. I'm not sure that that is happening at the
moment so the traditional £2.50, which I was previously going to donate to
the Goodbye Arsene Trophy Parade Fund will instead be going on a draw. 1-1
please Mr Winstone.
Enjoy the game!
When last we met at the "Daft Name For A" Stadium. Lost 1-0 (Premier League
December 2016)
Schmeichel had one of those days against us as he pulled off save after save
against Payet and Cresswell. Slimani was on target with a first-half header
to give them all three points.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh:
In his rookie season at the top level. And it shows. Mind you some of them
have been doing it for ages, not that you'd notice.
Danger Man: Riyad Mahrez
The transfer request he submitted in January is no longer in operation
though the player admits that his future is "uncertain". Translation "I'm
off In the Summer". If he's in the mood he can be a right handful.
Percy's Poser
Last week we asked you why is Associated Press Journo Rob Harris is unlikely
to be on Guardiola's Christmas card list this year? A copy of the Sheffield
United Little Book Of Hypocrisy goes to Mrs Hortensia Vacuum-Cleaner of
Westcliffe On Sea for informing us:
"At a press conference earlier this year Guardiola, having been rather
effusive with his praise for his club's owners earlier on went all moral
high ground with his support for Catalonian independence going into great
detail of how his people had the right to freedom. Whereupon, alone amongst
the gathered journos, Mr Harris asked Guardiola how he could square his
support for "freedom" with his collecting of large amounts of money in
salary from people to whom human rights obviously meant nothing. At this
point Guardiola mumbled something vague about that being different or
something. So that's ok then!"
Well put Hortensia.
For this week's poser we look at Leicester itself. When they won the league
a few years back the Daily Express, in a desperate attempt to find something
interesting to say about the place, came up with one of "those 10 facts you
didn't know about" pieces. (Even their local paper only managed nine). No.
10 of these facts was the fact that Leicester Square was named after the 2nd
Earl of Leicester. All of which would have been fine but for what rather big
blunder made by the work experience kid they presumably used to post the
piece online?
A copy of "The Idiot's Guide To Tourist London" goes to the winner assuming
such a thing exists.
Good luck everyone!
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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Moyes mulling over 'keeper dilemma
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2018
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says he is undecided which of his two first team goalkeepers to
deploy against Leicester at the King Power stadium this weekend. Adrian
returned to the number one slot last weekend against Manchester City when
fellow stopper Joe Hart was sidelined for the clash with his parent club,
against whom he was not permitted to play. However the manager - who has
been less than convinced by either 'keeper since succeeding Slaven Bilic
last November - admitted that he is unsure which of the two to use at
Leicester in a game that could have huge consequences for the Hammers. "I've
got a decision to make on them both," he said during this morning's
pre-match press conference. "Joe has been in and Adrian has been in, but
unfortunately for Joe it was because it was his parent club last week, so
I've got a decision to make." One decision Moyes has already reached regards
striker Andy Carroll, who was sent home from training on Monday morning
following a row with the manager and later fined for his petulant outburst.
"We've fined him, he has apologised to both the players and myself, so we've
moved on," confirmed Moyes. "We're quite happy that it's done and dusted
now. Andy was in the squad last weekend, that's why he was on the bench, and
he'll be in the squad this weekend too - so it's certainly resolved as far
as I'm concerned."
West Ham face Leicester at the King Power Stadium tomorrow (Saturday); the
match kicks off at the once traditional time of 3pm.
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Andy Carroll fined by West Ham after inexcusable decision to leave bench
during game
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 04/05/18 2:04pm
SSN
David Moyes has fined Andy Carroll following his 'inexcusable' decision to
leave the bench during West Ham's game against Manchester City. The striker
headed down the tunnel after Moyes decided against bringing him on as a
substitute during the Hammers' 4-1 defeat at the London Stadium - something
he has since apologised for. Moyes has now told the Evening Standard: "I was
really disappointed in Andy. I don't believe there was any excuse for what
he did. "He's been fined but he has apologised, both to me and the players,
and I think he understands it was wrong. "The following day we had a
discussion in the office at Rush Green [West Ham's training ground]. I told
him it was unacceptable and sent him away. "Within an hour, it seemed, it
was out there for public consumption, which is also disappointing. Things go
on all the time at clubs and there needs to be some privacy. "To be fair,
Andy texted me later and apologised. I told him he needed to come in the
following day and speak to me and the players and he did that. Since then,
he's been back training."
Moyes also confirmed in his pre-match press conference Carroll will be in
West Ham's squad for their trip to Leicester on Saturday. He said: "He was
in the squad last week, that's why he was on the bench. He will be in the
squad this weekend as well."
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Leicester v West Ham preview: Hammers target crucial victory
Last Updated: 04/05/18 3:56pm
SSN
West Ham will be looking to take a big step towards survival in the Premier
League when they travel to out-of-form Leicester on Saturday. The Hammers
are in a precarious position in the table, just three points above the
relegation zone, following successive 4-1 defeats to Arsenal and Manchester
City. They are without a win from their last four games, and travel to
Leicester before matches against David Moyes' former clubs Manchester United
and Everton at the London Stadium.
"We have got three games to win," Moyes said. "If we can win all three of
those games then we might find ourselves quite high up the table so that is
what we are going to try to do. "The mood is good. We were really
disappointed with how we played, even against the champions, but overall
they are keen to put it right.
"The motivation and attitude has been very good. They know exactly what is
at stake so we will all work together and try and get a result."
Leicester have won just four of their last 18 games and there have been
reports that manager Claude Puel is under increasing pressure. With three
matches of the season left to play, the highest the Foxes could finish is
eighth.
Team news
Andy Carroll will be in West Ham's squad after being sent home from training
and then fined for leaving the bench early in the 4-1 defeat against
Manchester City.
Joe Hart and Adrian will contend for the number one spot - after Hart was
ineligible to face parent club City - but Michail Antonio (hamstring),
Winston Reid (knee), Sam Byram (ankle), James Collins (hamstring) and Pedro
Obiang (knee) are still sidelined.
Marc Albrighton is one of nine Leicester players missing as he starts his
suspension following last week's red card at Crystal Palace. The winger was
dismissed in the 5-0 drubbing at Selhurst Park, and has also been charged
with misconduct for his reaction to referee Mike Dean so could face a
further ban. Kasper Schmeichel (ankle), Shinji Okazaki (ankle), Wilfred
Ndidi (hamstring), Danny Simpson (groin), Robert Huth (ankle), Matty James
(Achilles) are also out along with Ben Chilwell and Daniel Amartey. Vicente
Iborra (hamstring) has returned to training and will be assessed.
Opta stats
The Foxes are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with West
Ham (W4 D2), since a 0-2 loss at Upton Park in December 2014.
After winning three of their first five away Premier League games against
Leicester (D1 L1), the Hammers are winless in their last five top-flight
visits to Filbert Street/King Power Stadium (D2 L3), alternating between
defeat and a draw each time.
Leicester have lost three of their last four Premier League games (D1), more
than they had in their previous 10 in the competition (W4 D4 L2).
West Ham have shipped 67 Premier League goals this season - only in one
campaign have they ever conceded more in the competition (70 in 2010-11 when
they finished bottom).
Leicester have been shown a league-high five red cards in the Premier League
this season, while West Ham have had more yellows than any other side (70).
West Ham have scored in each of their last 10 away Premier League games -
they last had a longer run in the top-flight back in December 1966 (14
games).
Marko Arnautovic has been directly involved in eight goals in his last seven
away games for West Ham in the Premier League (5 goals, 3 assists).
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 5
Friday, May 4
Daily WHUFC News - 4th May 2018
Ladies' season finale next step down 'path to success'
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies general manager Karen Ray is backing her team to
return to winning ways in their final fixture of the 2017/18 season. The
Hammers were edged out 2-1 at Lewes in the FA Women's Premier League
Southern Division on Sunday, ending a 13-match unbeaten run that included
two historic cup final victories and impressive league wins over Cardiff
City, Swindon Town and Portsmouth. Now, Ray and her players are preparing to
end a promising campaign with the visit of Queen Park Rangers to Rush Green
on Sunday 20 May – a day which will celebrate the Ladies with a host of
special events on and off the pitch. "There is no clear defining moment for
us as a team, we have proven that our success wasn't a temporary moment in
time," said Ray. "It has been a consistent improvement and obsession with
the little things and we have shown that we can beat teams at the top. "Both
the players and staff are constantly hearing 'if only the season started in
2018'. Yes of course we can't help but grimace at that thought, but
ultimately those uncomfortable moments in 2017 have pathed the way for us.
"Without being pushed outside of our comfort zone and endured those moments
in which you have to all dig deep and stick together, we wouldn't have seen
the very best of ourselves. It's those dark moments that put you on the path
to success and here we are. "As a team we have a real passion and desire to
win, because at the top of the pyramid results matter and you are judged on
your ability to win. Jack Sullivan and I set out in December to build a
winning team and that meant creating a professional environment with an
intense group of players and a passionate group of staff. "As a team we have
been given all the resources to succeed and everyone believes in the Club's
values and ethos which have propelled our successful 2018. "It's easy to
say you want to be the best player, the best coach and the best team. But it
is the moments in between when your back is against the wall and you have to
ask yourself if you're prepared to dedicate and commit enough to achieve it?
"You won't find us in a comfort zone, because we know the only place we can
become better is when we step outside of it. Those uncomfortable moments
where implicit learning takes place. That is where West Ham United Ladies
path to success will always begin."
The Hammers host their London rivals at Rush Green for the 2pm kick-off with
tickets available to book now. All U16 and Adult Season Ticket Holders and
Claret Members can attend for free, while Adult tickets are otherwise priced
at just £3. Gates open at midday, and you could have your photo taken with
the two trophies won by the team this season, as well as getting involved
with football inflatables, a creative corner where you can design your own
banner, foosball tables, and meeting a Hammers legend. A range of food and
drink options will also be available on the day, including the Rib Man.
What's more, if you book tickets in advance, you will be entered into a
prize draw to win one of 20 places in a half-time penalty shootout on the
Rush Green pitch!*
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Hammers youngster Alese in England U17s Euros squad
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Ajibola Alese has been named in the England squad
for the UEFA Euro U17 Championships, which get underway on Friday. Defender
Alese appeared for the Club's Premier League 2 side on five occasions this
term, despite only turning 17 in January, and has been rewarded for his
progress with a place in Steve Cooper's final 20-man squad. Alese debuted at
this level in February and will hope to play his part as the Young Lions
look to go one better than last year's runners-up finish to Spain. The
tournament is taking place on home soil, with six venues in the Midlands
playing host to the 16-team tournament. England's campaign gets underway on
Friday with a game against Israel at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium. They
follow that by taking on Italy at Walsall on Monday, before concluding the
group stage with next Thursday's meeting with Switzerland at Rotherham.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell: I couldn't care less who scores as long as we get the points
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says West Ham United cannot afford to allow negative
thoughts to enter their heads as they prepare for Saturday's crunch Premier
League fixture at Leicester City. The Hammers head to the East Midlands
eager to secure the three points that should secure their top-flight safety,
winning their first Premier League fixture at King Power Stadium at the
fourth attempt in the process. Cresswell, who scored an outstanding goal in
the 2-2 draw at the King Power in April 2016, says he and his teammates have
put Sunday's home defeat by champions Manchester City out of their minds and
are fully focused on defeating Claude Puel's side. The Foxes have themselves
picked up just one point from their last four matches, losing 5-0 at Crystal
Palace last time out, and have not won at home in the league since 20
January – but the No3 insists the men in Claret and Blue cannot and will not
take anything for granted. "We've got to focus on ourselves now," said West
Ham's assist-leader with seven. "We've got Leicester this weekend and we
need to dust ourselves off, go again, work hard and get ready to face them
on Saturday. "All we can do is have a good week in training and put all our
focus on our next game. We need to try and stay as positive as we can and go
out there and beat Leicester. "If you look at Leicester, they lost 5-0 on
Saturday, but they had a man sent-off at Crystal Palace on Saturday and it
changed the game even more. They are still a good team, but we need to go
out there and believe we can beat them. "It would be nice to get another
goal against them, but it's not about who scores the goals, but all about
the result. I couldn't care less who scores as long as we get the points. "I
couldn't tell you the points tally we need to get to but we are certainly
not safe now. The Premier League is so unpredictable, so any of the teams
around us could pick up points between now and the end of the season. "We've
got three games to go and we're not going to be negative about anything.
We're going to stay as positive as we can and concentrate on the job in
hand."
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SULLIVAN IS THIS AS GOOD AS IT GETS?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 3 MAY 2018 AT 8:50PM
TheWesthamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
All Moyes fault? Dream on! As per usual The Cons little lackeys are working
on behalf of the cons, desperately trashing, David Moyes, in any way they
can. Desperately trying to deflect blame away from the lying, thieving,
self-styled "Messiahs" who own The Club. Always the manager never the
self-styled "Messiahs". I'm not saying that Moyes is blameless, he most
certainly is not. However, the real reason that we are, where we are, is due
to EIGHT years of lies and MORE lies and a chronic lack of investment by the
"Messiahs". Who appointed Moyes in the first place? Who said he would have
money to spend in January? You got it in one. The Messrs. What did they do
in January? Sold Ayew and Fonte for £26 million, bringing in Mario for £2m
on loan and Jordan Hugill for £9m. All that matters to the Messrs is money.
Whether it be ripping the "Customers" off, by charging them £10 to join the
non-existent 50,000 waiting list for season tickets or making phantom 'bids'
for a player! Bids they know are time wasting and insulting to the selling
Club. Or offering a player they are 'trying' to sign, peanuts for personal
terms, ensuring that the 'deal' collapses. When it comes to money the Messrs
certainly are a bag of 'party' tricks.
Through their years at The Daily Sport, they have built up a whole array of
contacts to spin their lies and to garner their sympathy, when they get
found out. Divide and rule has always been their aim. Whether it be
Birmingham City Football Club or West Ham United, they are RUTHLESS people
who lie when their lips move. FOUR, relegations on their C/V, tells you they
would rather be relegated than invest in their football team. We bid 25m for
Joe Allen but Stoke couldn't get their signing over the line. We had a bid
for James Maddison accepted, but David Moyes did not want him, we 'just'
failed to get Leo Dendoncker, as we ran out of time to do a medical "All
utter BOLLOCKS"! Nobody is interested in that crap anymore, and neither are
they interested in reading that Sullivan is working "twenty-four hours round
the clock in a bid to bring new signings in"! When he is lounging around his
pool in Marabella. Lies, lies and MORE lies!
I just shake my head when people say: "Bring in Rafa Benítez, Eddie Howe or
this manager or that in. No decent manager wants to work for the Messrs.
Their name stinks in the world of football. They interfere and publicly
ridicule the manager, when they feel like it, and he is still expected to be
competitive with a team built on cheapies, freebies and loan after loan.
Would you want to work under such a set up if you are an ambitious manager?
Not on your life! Yet they get people to put it across that if you boo and
chant: "SACK THE BOARD"! It will prevent deals for players that they already
have in place, from joining us. As a player would be put off by the toxic
atmosphere. No people are not fooled, they know who the problem is. You only
had to listen to Mark Sager on Talk Sport, to realise that. Public opinion,
is turning irreversibly against the Messrs.
About 87% of West Ham's support want them out. The other 13%? Well it's like
certain relationship statuses: complicated! Like, the rest of us they know
what the Messrs are all about. But to them, it's almost like being deeply in
love with a partner who is a serial love cheat, yet they love the partner so
much they hope somehow, they will mend their ways. Similarly, the 13% are
giving The Messrs one last chance… till the end of The Summer window. BUT
they MUST spend big. This after EIGHT years of lies and MORE lies, and a
chronic lack of investment? There is more chance of Hillary Clinton giving
Donald Trump a blow job than that happening! Where is the money coming from?
Everything the Club owns is mortgaged to the hilt. Sullivan is ALREADY
getting his tearjerkers in. Crying, about agent fees and signing on fees
blah blah. Watch out for the newest gem! "We couldn't clinch deals as the
transfer window closed too early 6th of August".
Well what do we do to get rid of them? That is not going to be easy
unfortunately. They had to do with fans turning against them while they
owned Birmingham, that did not phase them too much. The way they wore their
old flat caps incognito against Southampton. Indicated they liked their role
of Villains of The London Stadium. Indeed, Sullivan has said that if they
have not turned things around in five years they would be off, conveniently
when they can sell up without having to pay any penalties. No chance! Leave
West Ham in the hands of a couple of ruthless asset strippers, will see us
land up like Sunderland or worse. No time for apathy, no time for turning
back, it's time to fight for the soul of West Ham United. Going on social
media and tweeting! Sell up! or F*** off! You have destroyed our Club! (I do
it as well!) But in reality, it is about as effective as Trump coming on
stage and going on about 'crooked' Hillary and his supporters shouting LOCK
HER UP!! Some sixteen months after the USA Presidential election.
At present West Ham's fanbase, passionate as it is, it is all over the
place. Some have marched, some have been up to see Brady. Some are not sure
whether to march, say a prayer for The Club. The Messrs have been successful
at dividing us. No more! Time for us to unite, time to elect one body to
take the fight forward, time for leaders to organise and mobilise West Ham's
passionate support. If we March, we march as ONE! One powerful voice of
defiance! It is not just about marching either, one must be thankful to
those groups of supporters, who took time off from work to meet with Brady.
Dialogue must be kept with the "Messrs". But no longer can they be allowed
to dictate what they will talk about and what they won't. Beer shelves, more
Claret seats, a better match day experience. Yes, that is nice. But it's
time to talk about finances, transfer budget for this window. Director of
Football, bringing in someone LIKE Zola NOT as manager, but to work with the
youth and first team on a one to one basis, to improve the technical ability
of all our players. You only have to look at the inability of our midfield,
to do simple things like retaining possession, to realise we badly need
someone to work one on one with the players.
We also need to know what the plans are to overhaul our scouting system.
Karren Brady's decision to get rid of most of our scouts has not paid
dividends. For the last few years, we have been signing rejects from the top
Clubs in the Premier League, as well as Europe. One or two like Declan Rice
and Nathan Holland have done well, but the majority have not made the grade
at our Club either as they are simply not good enough. Let's not be too
depressed about our Club, there is enormous potential! But it is being run
to the ground by a pair of wideboys!! The sad part about it is this:
Contrary to what many think, they DO know how to run a football Club! They
have the ability to identify top transfer targets before anyone else but
won't spend the bloody money! However, they are not going to sit down and
discuss anything meaningful willy nilly. I'm afraid we are in a desperate
situation, it's time to March or time to die! A massive and united March is
the one thing they don't want and fear. Time to put our differences behind
us and FIGHT for West Ham United! If we cannot do that, then they will kill
West Ham United… bit by bit. Surely, we can't let them do that?
We are more than a football Club, we're a way of life!!!
FarehamHammer!!!
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Board facing Leicester snub
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Board of Directors could be set to receive a frosty
welcome from their counterparts at Leicester City this weekend. KUMB
reported back in February how the Foxes had shunned a bid from the Hammers
for Islam Slimani as a result of comments made by vice chair Karren Brady
regarding chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in her tabloid column last year.
And it is being suggested that Brady, plus fellow Board members David Gold
and David Sullivan could potentially be banned from the Foxes Boardroom on
Saturday when the two teams meet in what is a vital match for West Ham, who
need at least one more win from their remaining three matches to secure
Premier League survival. This weekend's meeting will represent the first
occasion on which West Ham have visited the Midlands club since Brady's
column was published in 2017. Despite United's vice chair having since
apologised, Srivaddhanaprabha is understood to harbour a grudge.
* In other related news, Leicester City have refused to allow a group of
volunteers to collect money for Isla Caton outside the King Power stadium
this weekend.
A small band of travelling West Ham supporters have been raising funds at
various away venues this season in order to send the three-year-old to
America for vital treatment. However the group have been told by Foxes
Liaison Officer Jim Donnelly that they would not be permitted to collect
outside the stadium this weekend as the club were holding two other
(non-related) collections on the day.
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NOT ALL GOOD FRIENDS AND GIVE US A POINT OR THREE
By Goatygav 3 May 2018 at 17:00
WTID
So here we are again – unhappy as can be. Saturday is filling many fans with
trepidation as Leicester are a very good team and we're not exactly in the
best of form. There are more than a few predicting doom, in the form of
relegation, for West Ham come the end of the season but are they right to do
so. West Brom can't catch us so we could only go down in 19th or 18th spot.
Three points will, all but, ensure survival. Should those points arrive this
weekend then Southampton would need to win at least two of three vs Everton,
Swansea and City to finish above us. Stoke must win both to overhaul us and
Swansea, like Southampton, would also need 2 wins from Bournemouth,
Southampton and Stoke. So why the positive outlook?
Leicester's points haul, from their last 5 is one worse than ours with a
WLLDL compared to our WDDLL. This against marginally easier opposition, of
Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley, Southampton and Palace, compared to our
matches with Southampton, Chelsea, Stoke, Arsenal and City. In isolation
there's not much in that but other factors are at play. The sending off, for
the red card offence of pulling down Zaha while in the clear on goal, this
weekend of Mark Albrighton means he misses the fixture against us.
Albrighton is a key player in the Leicester team. Another massive
contributor to their midfield engine room is Okazaki who is a major doubt
along with their keeper Schmeichel. Between the sticks Ben Hamer,
Schmeichel's replacement, comes off a 5 goal tonking. Not ideal for a
replacement's confidence at the
Probably more than any of the reasons in the previous paragraph, though, is
the fact that these points are far more meaningful to us. We're desperate
for them. Leicester appear to be coasting in to a mid-table finish without
any real motivation. This need for points often plays a big factor in
matches at this stage of the season. Mid table safety often softens teams
with motivation waning compared to the hungrier teams attempting to avoid
relegation.
Of course there's still the clear and present threat of the Mahrez/Vardy
partnership but it looks like they're effectiveness has been seriously
blunted of late with other key players missing. Add Albrighton in to that
mix and it's looking even more difficult for them. All things considered I'm
seriously optimistic for this weekend and for good reason. Bring 'em on!
It's highly unlikely that West Brom, despite putting up a spirited fight,
will survive. Stoke are showing a similar hunger for which Paul Lambert
deserves some credit. When things have gone against him, and his team, he's
not made excuses but has chosen to commend his players for their efforts and
promised to do everything in their power to win games. But taking maximum
points against Everton and Swansea will be an ask.
Like so many others I can't wait for the end of the season. I'm going to
reserve judgement on whether I believe David Moyes deserves the job beyond
that point until all the games have been played. When you're not picking up
any points, and so many others are on the 'get rid' bandwagon, it's easy to
make snap judgements. I also believe that it's not right to discuss
someone's employment position while they're still in the job so I do my best
to avoid any speculation.
I was on record, the day before David Moyes' appointment, as stating that he
would 'take us down' if put in place. At that stage I genuinely thought that
we'd be relegated with a few left to play but there are positive aspects to
the job he's done and I sincerely wish that I am proven wrong. I'm as
critical as the next fan when it comes to DM's in match tactics. Double and
triple subs have been tactical errors, especially the double in the Arsenal
game, but I'm not as bought in to the 'Negative' or 'Dinosaur' perspectives
that have been shared. A degree of pragmatism has been adopted by Mr Moyes
under current circumstances and I can't really blame him for that. If
results go our way this weekend we could be mathematically safe by 19.00 on
Saturday night due to Southampton and Swansea still having to play each
other, as well as one other fixture, while being 6 and 5 points behind
respectively.
Overall the game on Sunday was pretty forgettable. There were signs of
Lanautovic linking well again. Both need to start the remainder of games
IMHO. I watched it in the pub where there were adjacent tv screens with the
Snooker as the alternative. Higgins really was excellent. On this occasion
the Goat was doing the staring at his brilliant 136 break to put him 8-3 up
– not, as in HH's report, the men staring at the Goats. All riveting stuff
as the snooker fan in the picture below is testament to. Man City are a bit
special. What pleases me the most is that a team playing intricate,
enterprising and entertaining football are winning things which pokes one in
the eye of the 'pretty football wins nothing in England' merchants who've
held the game back decades in this country.
No such boredom in the game this coming weekend.
COYI!
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DEFENSIVE MEASURES
By Blind Hammer 3 May 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer looks at the need for squad overhaul.
Whatever division West ham compete in next season the priority for squad
overhaul is now clear. The honeymoon period for Moyes is well and truly over
but to lamblast a coaching team barely 6 months into their tenure for a
structural weakness which has persisted for over 2 years is probably unfair.
What is clear is that Moyes has not yet cracked the defensive squad problems
that he inherited from Slaven Bilic. He has so far shown, like Bilic, only
sporadic indications that he can set up a team able to defend.
Our latest 4-1 reversal against Manchester City was the 15th time we have
conceded three or more goals this season. We officially have the leakiest
defence with 67 conceded in 35 games. The Manchester city reversal was the
fourth 4-1 defeat this season.
The depressing fact is that none of this is new. Even in the last season at
the Boleyn the alarm bells were ringing. After January in that final season
the team began to ship goals at an average of 2 a game. Luckily we had
enough Payet and Antonio inspired firepower to resist falling into trouble
then. This only served, however, to paper over the alarming defensive cracks
that were emerging. Remember the penultimate Boleyn match where Swansea
decimated our ailing defence, 4-1? Despite these warning signs the problem
has exacerbated rather than improved. Not just the top six sides but
moderate and even poor sides routinely thrash us. Last season Watford and
West Brom both spanked us by each scoring 4 goals against us in a fortnight.
Burnley and Swansea similarly combined to score 7 goals against us recently
again in a fortnight.
This is why, fore 2 summer windows now, I have written multiple pieces
criticising squad transfer strategies. We have, as a team pursued a glory
dream of assembling a team firstly to meet an illusory squad depth challenge
of the Europa League, and then a grandeur project of developing an exciting
team fit for the new Stadium. At no time was I ever convinced that the
seriousness of our defensive weaknesses were recognised or addressed. Sadly
the latest Winter Transfer window reinforced this problem. Quite what the
thinking was that we could solve our difficulties with the recruitment of 36
year old Patrice Evra is the biggest blow to my confidence with Moyes. The
releasing of Fonte was equally mystifying. Whilst Fonte was not a world
beater, to gamble on the fitness of Collins and read when they both have
appalling injury records was bizarre in the extreme. David Gold pleaded
hindsight of not anticipating injury to defend the Fonte sale. This is not
an acceptable excuse. I wrote last summer that we had the most injury prone
defence in the league and that not to reinforce it then was criminally
negligent. We were too obsessed with our unfit Strikers and not recognising
our unfit defenders. I said then it would come back to haunt us and sadly
this has proven true. If this physical fragility in defence was obvious last
summer was it should have been even more obvious this January. The
performances of rice have been exposed by the unfair responsibilities of a
young teenager having to perform in a structurally dysfunctional unit.
I am now impatient with those who simply think we can get out of this hole
by embracing a more expansive style. The West Ham tradition of exciting
football was always just as much built on defensive skills as much as
attacking talent. Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were lifted by the talents
of Bobby Moore. Brooking and Devonshire were shaped by the ferocity and
determination of Billy Bonds. Alvin Martin and Tony Gale allowed the talents
of Cottee and MacAvennie to flow.
We will never have an exciting team until we sort out defensive basics.
Expansive attacking play is based on confidence. There is nothing more
guaranteed to destroy confidence than the dreary albatross around the neck
of a team routinely conceding 2 or more goals a game. This is the reality of
the defensive millstone that West Ham has carried for far too long. If we
are relegated we will have no way back unless we solve this. We can see now
that Hart's recruitment was a serious judgement failure and Zabeleta's
recruitment is stopgap. The problem needs serious attention from the most
skilled analysts available. The time for glory ambition has passed. We need
to get back to basics. It is time finally, this summer, to sort out our own
back yard of our defence
COYI
David Griffith.
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WEST HAM TO OFFER PLAYER AS MAKEWEIGHT FOR MIDFIELD TARGETFeatured Image
Date: 3rd May 2018 at 9:00pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham are set for a major rejuvenation this summer after a rollercoaster
campaign, which has left David Moyes' side still battling to avoid
relegation to the Championship. The Hammers sit just three points above the
relegation zone with three matches to play but the Scottish boss is already
starting to target is summer activity, with WestHamWorld claiming a fresh
offer for Leander Dendoncker. According to their information, West Ham will
lodge a new bid for the 22-year-old Belgium international if they secure
points against Leicester City this weekend, which would provide the Hammers
with a major boost in their quest to avoid the drop. However, that's not the
only big news as it's also claimed that West Ham will offer Cheikhou Kouyate
to Anderlecht to drive down the price for Dendoncker, offering the Senegal
international as well as a fee of £12m. 28-year-old Kouyate previously spent
six years in Belgium with Anderlecht and is said to still have a strong
connection to the club.
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Reece Oxford prepared to snub West Ham return as the defender hopes to stay
with Borussia Monchengladbach
Reece Oxford does not believe he has a future playing at West Ham United
Oxford is on loan in Germany at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach
There have been suggestions that the 19-year-old could be sent back to
London
But he wants to continue playing in Germany where he feels he is wanted
By Tom Farmery For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 18:02, 3 May 2018 | UPDATED: 18:08, 3 May 2018
Reece Oxford does not want to return to West Ham and hopes he can stay in
Germany. Reports on Thursday suggest that Borussia Monchengladbach are to
send Oxford, 19, back to West Ham but he believes he has no future at the
East London strugglers. Oxford is impressed with the chances given to his
former team-mate Declan Rice, also 19, this season but it has created
another hurdle in his path.
Rice has been voted Young Hammer of the Year for the second season in
succession and also made the breakthrough for the Republic of Ireland. Now
Oxford hopes West Ham will accept a fair price to transfer him to Germany
rather than price him out of a summer transfer. Oxford was recalled from his
loan spell in January by manager David Moyes before rejoining the Bundesliga
side on the final day of the winter transfer window until the end of the
season. He played in a handful of games, but was used out of position in
midfield. The defender made only three appearances for the Hammers during
the month he spent back in London. Oxford has made six appearances for
Monchengladbach during the second half of the season. The German club have
previously made no secret of their desire to sign the West Ham academy
graduate.
Max Eberl, Monchengladbach's sporting director, said after Oxford's initial
loan spell earlier in the season that he had been pleased with his
contribution. Eberl said: 'It was very important for us that Reece could
come back to Monchengladbach. 'We're particularly pleased that a player who
didn't play every game – in fact, he only played four [for Monchengladbach]
– was still really keen to return. 'He saw what we had promised him in the
summer was beginning to happen.'
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Marcus Bettinelli on West Ham radar as David Moyes looks for new No 1 with
Joe Hart and Adrian failing to convince
David Moyes has rotated between Joe Hart and Adrian in goal this season
Hart's loan will expire at the end of the season and West Ham want a new
keeper
They will target Marcus Bettinelli regardless of whether Fulham are promoted
By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 15:42, 3 May 2018 | UPDATED: 15:42, 3 May 2018
West Ham have begun the search for a new No 1, with Fulham goalkeeper Marcus
Bettinelli a leading contender to fill the void. David Moyes has alternated
between Joe Hart and Adrian in goal this season; neither completely
convincing the Hammers boss. And West Ham have started the process of trying
to sign a new custodian this summer with Bettinelli emerging as serious
candidate. The 25-year-old has impressed for the Cottagers in their race for
promotion this season, and his performances have caught West Ham's eyes. It
remains to be seen whether Fulham would even entertain letting the former
England Under-21 star leave this summer, particularly if they secure a
Premier League return. Nevertheless, West Ham are set to launch a move for
Bettinelli regardless of Fulham's league status ahead of next term.
Bettinelli is likely to move onto England manager Gareth Southgate's radar
once he makes the step up into top-flight football. England scouts have made
regular checks on Bettinelli this season with a view to a potential call-up
if he is playing in the Premier League next term. Indeed, Bettinelli's stats
this season make for impressive reading; eclipsing some of England's current
senior internationals. He has kept more clean sheets than Jack Butland,
Fraser Forster and Hart so far this season, and conceded considerably less
goals than the established trio. Similarly, his saves per goal ratio and
distribution accuracy is far greater than the aforementioned threesome.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies general manager Karen Ray is backing her team to
return to winning ways in their final fixture of the 2017/18 season. The
Hammers were edged out 2-1 at Lewes in the FA Women's Premier League
Southern Division on Sunday, ending a 13-match unbeaten run that included
two historic cup final victories and impressive league wins over Cardiff
City, Swindon Town and Portsmouth. Now, Ray and her players are preparing to
end a promising campaign with the visit of Queen Park Rangers to Rush Green
on Sunday 20 May – a day which will celebrate the Ladies with a host of
special events on and off the pitch. "There is no clear defining moment for
us as a team, we have proven that our success wasn't a temporary moment in
time," said Ray. "It has been a consistent improvement and obsession with
the little things and we have shown that we can beat teams at the top. "Both
the players and staff are constantly hearing 'if only the season started in
2018'. Yes of course we can't help but grimace at that thought, but
ultimately those uncomfortable moments in 2017 have pathed the way for us.
"Without being pushed outside of our comfort zone and endured those moments
in which you have to all dig deep and stick together, we wouldn't have seen
the very best of ourselves. It's those dark moments that put you on the path
to success and here we are. "As a team we have a real passion and desire to
win, because at the top of the pyramid results matter and you are judged on
your ability to win. Jack Sullivan and I set out in December to build a
winning team and that meant creating a professional environment with an
intense group of players and a passionate group of staff. "As a team we have
been given all the resources to succeed and everyone believes in the Club's
values and ethos which have propelled our successful 2018. "It's easy to
say you want to be the best player, the best coach and the best team. But it
is the moments in between when your back is against the wall and you have to
ask yourself if you're prepared to dedicate and commit enough to achieve it?
"You won't find us in a comfort zone, because we know the only place we can
become better is when we step outside of it. Those uncomfortable moments
where implicit learning takes place. That is where West Ham United Ladies
path to success will always begin."
The Hammers host their London rivals at Rush Green for the 2pm kick-off with
tickets available to book now. All U16 and Adult Season Ticket Holders and
Claret Members can attend for free, while Adult tickets are otherwise priced
at just £3. Gates open at midday, and you could have your photo taken with
the two trophies won by the team this season, as well as getting involved
with football inflatables, a creative corner where you can design your own
banner, foosball tables, and meeting a Hammers legend. A range of food and
drink options will also be available on the day, including the Rib Man.
What's more, if you book tickets in advance, you will be entered into a
prize draw to win one of 20 places in a half-time penalty shootout on the
Rush Green pitch!*
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Hammers youngster Alese in England U17s Euros squad
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Ajibola Alese has been named in the England squad
for the UEFA Euro U17 Championships, which get underway on Friday. Defender
Alese appeared for the Club's Premier League 2 side on five occasions this
term, despite only turning 17 in January, and has been rewarded for his
progress with a place in Steve Cooper's final 20-man squad. Alese debuted at
this level in February and will hope to play his part as the Young Lions
look to go one better than last year's runners-up finish to Spain. The
tournament is taking place on home soil, with six venues in the Midlands
playing host to the 16-team tournament. England's campaign gets underway on
Friday with a game against Israel at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium. They
follow that by taking on Italy at Walsall on Monday, before concluding the
group stage with next Thursday's meeting with Switzerland at Rotherham.
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Cresswell: I couldn't care less who scores as long as we get the points
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell says West Ham United cannot afford to allow negative
thoughts to enter their heads as they prepare for Saturday's crunch Premier
League fixture at Leicester City. The Hammers head to the East Midlands
eager to secure the three points that should secure their top-flight safety,
winning their first Premier League fixture at King Power Stadium at the
fourth attempt in the process. Cresswell, who scored an outstanding goal in
the 2-2 draw at the King Power in April 2016, says he and his teammates have
put Sunday's home defeat by champions Manchester City out of their minds and
are fully focused on defeating Claude Puel's side. The Foxes have themselves
picked up just one point from their last four matches, losing 5-0 at Crystal
Palace last time out, and have not won at home in the league since 20
January – but the No3 insists the men in Claret and Blue cannot and will not
take anything for granted. "We've got to focus on ourselves now," said West
Ham's assist-leader with seven. "We've got Leicester this weekend and we
need to dust ourselves off, go again, work hard and get ready to face them
on Saturday. "All we can do is have a good week in training and put all our
focus on our next game. We need to try and stay as positive as we can and go
out there and beat Leicester. "If you look at Leicester, they lost 5-0 on
Saturday, but they had a man sent-off at Crystal Palace on Saturday and it
changed the game even more. They are still a good team, but we need to go
out there and believe we can beat them. "It would be nice to get another
goal against them, but it's not about who scores the goals, but all about
the result. I couldn't care less who scores as long as we get the points. "I
couldn't tell you the points tally we need to get to but we are certainly
not safe now. The Premier League is so unpredictable, so any of the teams
around us could pick up points between now and the end of the season. "We've
got three games to go and we're not going to be negative about anything.
We're going to stay as positive as we can and concentrate on the job in
hand."
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SULLIVAN IS THIS AS GOOD AS IT GETS?
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 3 MAY 2018 AT 8:50PM
TheWesthamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
All Moyes fault? Dream on! As per usual The Cons little lackeys are working
on behalf of the cons, desperately trashing, David Moyes, in any way they
can. Desperately trying to deflect blame away from the lying, thieving,
self-styled "Messiahs" who own The Club. Always the manager never the
self-styled "Messiahs". I'm not saying that Moyes is blameless, he most
certainly is not. However, the real reason that we are, where we are, is due
to EIGHT years of lies and MORE lies and a chronic lack of investment by the
"Messiahs". Who appointed Moyes in the first place? Who said he would have
money to spend in January? You got it in one. The Messrs. What did they do
in January? Sold Ayew and Fonte for £26 million, bringing in Mario for £2m
on loan and Jordan Hugill for £9m. All that matters to the Messrs is money.
Whether it be ripping the "Customers" off, by charging them £10 to join the
non-existent 50,000 waiting list for season tickets or making phantom 'bids'
for a player! Bids they know are time wasting and insulting to the selling
Club. Or offering a player they are 'trying' to sign, peanuts for personal
terms, ensuring that the 'deal' collapses. When it comes to money the Messrs
certainly are a bag of 'party' tricks.
Through their years at The Daily Sport, they have built up a whole array of
contacts to spin their lies and to garner their sympathy, when they get
found out. Divide and rule has always been their aim. Whether it be
Birmingham City Football Club or West Ham United, they are RUTHLESS people
who lie when their lips move. FOUR, relegations on their C/V, tells you they
would rather be relegated than invest in their football team. We bid 25m for
Joe Allen but Stoke couldn't get their signing over the line. We had a bid
for James Maddison accepted, but David Moyes did not want him, we 'just'
failed to get Leo Dendoncker, as we ran out of time to do a medical "All
utter BOLLOCKS"! Nobody is interested in that crap anymore, and neither are
they interested in reading that Sullivan is working "twenty-four hours round
the clock in a bid to bring new signings in"! When he is lounging around his
pool in Marabella. Lies, lies and MORE lies!
I just shake my head when people say: "Bring in Rafa Benítez, Eddie Howe or
this manager or that in. No decent manager wants to work for the Messrs.
Their name stinks in the world of football. They interfere and publicly
ridicule the manager, when they feel like it, and he is still expected to be
competitive with a team built on cheapies, freebies and loan after loan.
Would you want to work under such a set up if you are an ambitious manager?
Not on your life! Yet they get people to put it across that if you boo and
chant: "SACK THE BOARD"! It will prevent deals for players that they already
have in place, from joining us. As a player would be put off by the toxic
atmosphere. No people are not fooled, they know who the problem is. You only
had to listen to Mark Sager on Talk Sport, to realise that. Public opinion,
is turning irreversibly against the Messrs.
About 87% of West Ham's support want them out. The other 13%? Well it's like
certain relationship statuses: complicated! Like, the rest of us they know
what the Messrs are all about. But to them, it's almost like being deeply in
love with a partner who is a serial love cheat, yet they love the partner so
much they hope somehow, they will mend their ways. Similarly, the 13% are
giving The Messrs one last chance… till the end of The Summer window. BUT
they MUST spend big. This after EIGHT years of lies and MORE lies, and a
chronic lack of investment? There is more chance of Hillary Clinton giving
Donald Trump a blow job than that happening! Where is the money coming from?
Everything the Club owns is mortgaged to the hilt. Sullivan is ALREADY
getting his tearjerkers in. Crying, about agent fees and signing on fees
blah blah. Watch out for the newest gem! "We couldn't clinch deals as the
transfer window closed too early 6th of August".
Well what do we do to get rid of them? That is not going to be easy
unfortunately. They had to do with fans turning against them while they
owned Birmingham, that did not phase them too much. The way they wore their
old flat caps incognito against Southampton. Indicated they liked their role
of Villains of The London Stadium. Indeed, Sullivan has said that if they
have not turned things around in five years they would be off, conveniently
when they can sell up without having to pay any penalties. No chance! Leave
West Ham in the hands of a couple of ruthless asset strippers, will see us
land up like Sunderland or worse. No time for apathy, no time for turning
back, it's time to fight for the soul of West Ham United. Going on social
media and tweeting! Sell up! or F*** off! You have destroyed our Club! (I do
it as well!) But in reality, it is about as effective as Trump coming on
stage and going on about 'crooked' Hillary and his supporters shouting LOCK
HER UP!! Some sixteen months after the USA Presidential election.
At present West Ham's fanbase, passionate as it is, it is all over the
place. Some have marched, some have been up to see Brady. Some are not sure
whether to march, say a prayer for The Club. The Messrs have been successful
at dividing us. No more! Time for us to unite, time to elect one body to
take the fight forward, time for leaders to organise and mobilise West Ham's
passionate support. If we March, we march as ONE! One powerful voice of
defiance! It is not just about marching either, one must be thankful to
those groups of supporters, who took time off from work to meet with Brady.
Dialogue must be kept with the "Messrs". But no longer can they be allowed
to dictate what they will talk about and what they won't. Beer shelves, more
Claret seats, a better match day experience. Yes, that is nice. But it's
time to talk about finances, transfer budget for this window. Director of
Football, bringing in someone LIKE Zola NOT as manager, but to work with the
youth and first team on a one to one basis, to improve the technical ability
of all our players. You only have to look at the inability of our midfield,
to do simple things like retaining possession, to realise we badly need
someone to work one on one with the players.
We also need to know what the plans are to overhaul our scouting system.
Karren Brady's decision to get rid of most of our scouts has not paid
dividends. For the last few years, we have been signing rejects from the top
Clubs in the Premier League, as well as Europe. One or two like Declan Rice
and Nathan Holland have done well, but the majority have not made the grade
at our Club either as they are simply not good enough. Let's not be too
depressed about our Club, there is enormous potential! But it is being run
to the ground by a pair of wideboys!! The sad part about it is this:
Contrary to what many think, they DO know how to run a football Club! They
have the ability to identify top transfer targets before anyone else but
won't spend the bloody money! However, they are not going to sit down and
discuss anything meaningful willy nilly. I'm afraid we are in a desperate
situation, it's time to March or time to die! A massive and united March is
the one thing they don't want and fear. Time to put our differences behind
us and FIGHT for West Ham United! If we cannot do that, then they will kill
West Ham United… bit by bit. Surely, we can't let them do that?
We are more than a football Club, we're a way of life!!!
FarehamHammer!!!
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Board facing Leicester snub
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2018
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United's Board of Directors could be set to receive a frosty
welcome from their counterparts at Leicester City this weekend. KUMB
reported back in February how the Foxes had shunned a bid from the Hammers
for Islam Slimani as a result of comments made by vice chair Karren Brady
regarding chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in her tabloid column last year.
And it is being suggested that Brady, plus fellow Board members David Gold
and David Sullivan could potentially be banned from the Foxes Boardroom on
Saturday when the two teams meet in what is a vital match for West Ham, who
need at least one more win from their remaining three matches to secure
Premier League survival. This weekend's meeting will represent the first
occasion on which West Ham have visited the Midlands club since Brady's
column was published in 2017. Despite United's vice chair having since
apologised, Srivaddhanaprabha is understood to harbour a grudge.
* In other related news, Leicester City have refused to allow a group of
volunteers to collect money for Isla Caton outside the King Power stadium
this weekend.
A small band of travelling West Ham supporters have been raising funds at
various away venues this season in order to send the three-year-old to
America for vital treatment. However the group have been told by Foxes
Liaison Officer Jim Donnelly that they would not be permitted to collect
outside the stadium this weekend as the club were holding two other
(non-related) collections on the day.
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NOT ALL GOOD FRIENDS AND GIVE US A POINT OR THREE
By Goatygav 3 May 2018 at 17:00
WTID
So here we are again – unhappy as can be. Saturday is filling many fans with
trepidation as Leicester are a very good team and we're not exactly in the
best of form. There are more than a few predicting doom, in the form of
relegation, for West Ham come the end of the season but are they right to do
so. West Brom can't catch us so we could only go down in 19th or 18th spot.
Three points will, all but, ensure survival. Should those points arrive this
weekend then Southampton would need to win at least two of three vs Everton,
Swansea and City to finish above us. Stoke must win both to overhaul us and
Swansea, like Southampton, would also need 2 wins from Bournemouth,
Southampton and Stoke. So why the positive outlook?
Leicester's points haul, from their last 5 is one worse than ours with a
WLLDL compared to our WDDLL. This against marginally easier opposition, of
Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley, Southampton and Palace, compared to our
matches with Southampton, Chelsea, Stoke, Arsenal and City. In isolation
there's not much in that but other factors are at play. The sending off, for
the red card offence of pulling down Zaha while in the clear on goal, this
weekend of Mark Albrighton means he misses the fixture against us.
Albrighton is a key player in the Leicester team. Another massive
contributor to their midfield engine room is Okazaki who is a major doubt
along with their keeper Schmeichel. Between the sticks Ben Hamer,
Schmeichel's replacement, comes off a 5 goal tonking. Not ideal for a
replacement's confidence at the
Probably more than any of the reasons in the previous paragraph, though, is
the fact that these points are far more meaningful to us. We're desperate
for them. Leicester appear to be coasting in to a mid-table finish without
any real motivation. This need for points often plays a big factor in
matches at this stage of the season. Mid table safety often softens teams
with motivation waning compared to the hungrier teams attempting to avoid
relegation.
Of course there's still the clear and present threat of the Mahrez/Vardy
partnership but it looks like they're effectiveness has been seriously
blunted of late with other key players missing. Add Albrighton in to that
mix and it's looking even more difficult for them. All things considered I'm
seriously optimistic for this weekend and for good reason. Bring 'em on!
It's highly unlikely that West Brom, despite putting up a spirited fight,
will survive. Stoke are showing a similar hunger for which Paul Lambert
deserves some credit. When things have gone against him, and his team, he's
not made excuses but has chosen to commend his players for their efforts and
promised to do everything in their power to win games. But taking maximum
points against Everton and Swansea will be an ask.
Like so many others I can't wait for the end of the season. I'm going to
reserve judgement on whether I believe David Moyes deserves the job beyond
that point until all the games have been played. When you're not picking up
any points, and so many others are on the 'get rid' bandwagon, it's easy to
make snap judgements. I also believe that it's not right to discuss
someone's employment position while they're still in the job so I do my best
to avoid any speculation.
I was on record, the day before David Moyes' appointment, as stating that he
would 'take us down' if put in place. At that stage I genuinely thought that
we'd be relegated with a few left to play but there are positive aspects to
the job he's done and I sincerely wish that I am proven wrong. I'm as
critical as the next fan when it comes to DM's in match tactics. Double and
triple subs have been tactical errors, especially the double in the Arsenal
game, but I'm not as bought in to the 'Negative' or 'Dinosaur' perspectives
that have been shared. A degree of pragmatism has been adopted by Mr Moyes
under current circumstances and I can't really blame him for that. If
results go our way this weekend we could be mathematically safe by 19.00 on
Saturday night due to Southampton and Swansea still having to play each
other, as well as one other fixture, while being 6 and 5 points behind
respectively.
Overall the game on Sunday was pretty forgettable. There were signs of
Lanautovic linking well again. Both need to start the remainder of games
IMHO. I watched it in the pub where there were adjacent tv screens with the
Snooker as the alternative. Higgins really was excellent. On this occasion
the Goat was doing the staring at his brilliant 136 break to put him 8-3 up
– not, as in HH's report, the men staring at the Goats. All riveting stuff
as the snooker fan in the picture below is testament to. Man City are a bit
special. What pleases me the most is that a team playing intricate,
enterprising and entertaining football are winning things which pokes one in
the eye of the 'pretty football wins nothing in England' merchants who've
held the game back decades in this country.
No such boredom in the game this coming weekend.
COYI!
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DEFENSIVE MEASURES
By Blind Hammer 3 May 2018 at 08:00
WTID
Blind Hammer looks at the need for squad overhaul.
Whatever division West ham compete in next season the priority for squad
overhaul is now clear. The honeymoon period for Moyes is well and truly over
but to lamblast a coaching team barely 6 months into their tenure for a
structural weakness which has persisted for over 2 years is probably unfair.
What is clear is that Moyes has not yet cracked the defensive squad problems
that he inherited from Slaven Bilic. He has so far shown, like Bilic, only
sporadic indications that he can set up a team able to defend.
Our latest 4-1 reversal against Manchester City was the 15th time we have
conceded three or more goals this season. We officially have the leakiest
defence with 67 conceded in 35 games. The Manchester city reversal was the
fourth 4-1 defeat this season.
The depressing fact is that none of this is new. Even in the last season at
the Boleyn the alarm bells were ringing. After January in that final season
the team began to ship goals at an average of 2 a game. Luckily we had
enough Payet and Antonio inspired firepower to resist falling into trouble
then. This only served, however, to paper over the alarming defensive cracks
that were emerging. Remember the penultimate Boleyn match where Swansea
decimated our ailing defence, 4-1? Despite these warning signs the problem
has exacerbated rather than improved. Not just the top six sides but
moderate and even poor sides routinely thrash us. Last season Watford and
West Brom both spanked us by each scoring 4 goals against us in a fortnight.
Burnley and Swansea similarly combined to score 7 goals against us recently
again in a fortnight.
This is why, fore 2 summer windows now, I have written multiple pieces
criticising squad transfer strategies. We have, as a team pursued a glory
dream of assembling a team firstly to meet an illusory squad depth challenge
of the Europa League, and then a grandeur project of developing an exciting
team fit for the new Stadium. At no time was I ever convinced that the
seriousness of our defensive weaknesses were recognised or addressed. Sadly
the latest Winter Transfer window reinforced this problem. Quite what the
thinking was that we could solve our difficulties with the recruitment of 36
year old Patrice Evra is the biggest blow to my confidence with Moyes. The
releasing of Fonte was equally mystifying. Whilst Fonte was not a world
beater, to gamble on the fitness of Collins and read when they both have
appalling injury records was bizarre in the extreme. David Gold pleaded
hindsight of not anticipating injury to defend the Fonte sale. This is not
an acceptable excuse. I wrote last summer that we had the most injury prone
defence in the league and that not to reinforce it then was criminally
negligent. We were too obsessed with our unfit Strikers and not recognising
our unfit defenders. I said then it would come back to haunt us and sadly
this has proven true. If this physical fragility in defence was obvious last
summer was it should have been even more obvious this January. The
performances of rice have been exposed by the unfair responsibilities of a
young teenager having to perform in a structurally dysfunctional unit.
I am now impatient with those who simply think we can get out of this hole
by embracing a more expansive style. The West Ham tradition of exciting
football was always just as much built on defensive skills as much as
attacking talent. Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were lifted by the talents
of Bobby Moore. Brooking and Devonshire were shaped by the ferocity and
determination of Billy Bonds. Alvin Martin and Tony Gale allowed the talents
of Cottee and MacAvennie to flow.
We will never have an exciting team until we sort out defensive basics.
Expansive attacking play is based on confidence. There is nothing more
guaranteed to destroy confidence than the dreary albatross around the neck
of a team routinely conceding 2 or more goals a game. This is the reality of
the defensive millstone that West Ham has carried for far too long. If we
are relegated we will have no way back unless we solve this. We can see now
that Hart's recruitment was a serious judgement failure and Zabeleta's
recruitment is stopgap. The problem needs serious attention from the most
skilled analysts available. The time for glory ambition has passed. We need
to get back to basics. It is time finally, this summer, to sort out our own
back yard of our defence
COYI
David Griffith.
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WEST HAM TO OFFER PLAYER AS MAKEWEIGHT FOR MIDFIELD TARGETFeatured Image
Date: 3rd May 2018 at 9:00pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham are set for a major rejuvenation this summer after a rollercoaster
campaign, which has left David Moyes' side still battling to avoid
relegation to the Championship. The Hammers sit just three points above the
relegation zone with three matches to play but the Scottish boss is already
starting to target is summer activity, with WestHamWorld claiming a fresh
offer for Leander Dendoncker. According to their information, West Ham will
lodge a new bid for the 22-year-old Belgium international if they secure
points against Leicester City this weekend, which would provide the Hammers
with a major boost in their quest to avoid the drop. However, that's not the
only big news as it's also claimed that West Ham will offer Cheikhou Kouyate
to Anderlecht to drive down the price for Dendoncker, offering the Senegal
international as well as a fee of £12m. 28-year-old Kouyate previously spent
six years in Belgium with Anderlecht and is said to still have a strong
connection to the club.
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Reece Oxford prepared to snub West Ham return as the defender hopes to stay
with Borussia Monchengladbach
Reece Oxford does not believe he has a future playing at West Ham United
Oxford is on loan in Germany at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach
There have been suggestions that the 19-year-old could be sent back to
London
But he wants to continue playing in Germany where he feels he is wanted
By Tom Farmery For Mailonline
PUBLISHED: 18:02, 3 May 2018 | UPDATED: 18:08, 3 May 2018
Reece Oxford does not want to return to West Ham and hopes he can stay in
Germany. Reports on Thursday suggest that Borussia Monchengladbach are to
send Oxford, 19, back to West Ham but he believes he has no future at the
East London strugglers. Oxford is impressed with the chances given to his
former team-mate Declan Rice, also 19, this season but it has created
another hurdle in his path.
Rice has been voted Young Hammer of the Year for the second season in
succession and also made the breakthrough for the Republic of Ireland. Now
Oxford hopes West Ham will accept a fair price to transfer him to Germany
rather than price him out of a summer transfer. Oxford was recalled from his
loan spell in January by manager David Moyes before rejoining the Bundesliga
side on the final day of the winter transfer window until the end of the
season. He played in a handful of games, but was used out of position in
midfield. The defender made only three appearances for the Hammers during
the month he spent back in London. Oxford has made six appearances for
Monchengladbach during the second half of the season. The German club have
previously made no secret of their desire to sign the West Ham academy
graduate.
Max Eberl, Monchengladbach's sporting director, said after Oxford's initial
loan spell earlier in the season that he had been pleased with his
contribution. Eberl said: 'It was very important for us that Reece could
come back to Monchengladbach. 'We're particularly pleased that a player who
didn't play every game – in fact, he only played four [for Monchengladbach]
– was still really keen to return. 'He saw what we had promised him in the
summer was beginning to happen.'
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Marcus Bettinelli on West Ham radar as David Moyes looks for new No 1 with
Joe Hart and Adrian failing to convince
David Moyes has rotated between Joe Hart and Adrian in goal this season
Hart's loan will expire at the end of the season and West Ham want a new
keeper
They will target Marcus Bettinelli regardless of whether Fulham are promoted
By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 15:42, 3 May 2018 | UPDATED: 15:42, 3 May 2018
West Ham have begun the search for a new No 1, with Fulham goalkeeper Marcus
Bettinelli a leading contender to fill the void. David Moyes has alternated
between Joe Hart and Adrian in goal this season; neither completely
convincing the Hammers boss. And West Ham have started the process of trying
to sign a new custodian this summer with Bettinelli emerging as serious
candidate. The 25-year-old has impressed for the Cottagers in their race for
promotion this season, and his performances have caught West Ham's eyes. It
remains to be seen whether Fulham would even entertain letting the former
England Under-21 star leave this summer, particularly if they secure a
Premier League return. Nevertheless, West Ham are set to launch a move for
Bettinelli regardless of Fulham's league status ahead of next term.
Bettinelli is likely to move onto England manager Gareth Southgate's radar
once he makes the step up into top-flight football. England scouts have made
regular checks on Bettinelli this season with a view to a potential call-up
if he is playing in the Premier League next term. Indeed, Bettinelli's stats
this season make for impressive reading; eclipsing some of England's current
senior internationals. He has kept more clean sheets than Jack Butland,
Fraser Forster and Hart so far this season, and conceded considerably less
goals than the established trio. Similarly, his saves per goal ratio and
distribution accuracy is far greater than the aforementioned threesome.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd May 2018
Second Chance Scheme Graduate Signs For CSKA Sofia
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation's Second Chance Scheme has grown rapidly over the
last two years, and its success is now starting to translate into fantastic
results for it's participants. Valentin Obretenov, a Goalkeeper on the
programme, has recently signed a professional contract with CSKA Sofia in
Bulgaria, and he couldn't be clearer about how the scheme helped him to get
where he is today.
Speaking to whufc.com, Valentin said: "I am so happy to be where I am now
and without the Foundation's support over the past two years I wouldn't be
where I am today. From exposing me to full-time football and education
alongside the Academy and pushing me to play Non-League Football I will be
forever grateful. Sam Taylor, Jim Hampsheir and Kosta Stavrev are three
people I would like to say a big thank you to."
The Second Chance Scheme is a two-year, full-time education and football
development programme, offering the opportunity to study a wide-range of
subjects across a broad range of qualifications, including A-Levels. Open to
talented footballers aged between 16 and 18, the Second Chance Scheme gives
released footballers another opportunity to make it in football – and
Valentin's story is just one of a number of growing success stories.
Sam Taylor, Football Integration Manager at West Ham United Foundation,
said: "For me this shows what a fantastic programme the Second Chance Scheme
is. It's often talked about in football, but our scheme is genuinely
offering pathways for these boys, and with Val signing professionally for
CSKA Sofia, along with creating full international players just shows the
power of our programme and is a testament to the hard work we're all putting
in to get it right."
Bryan Glover, Head of Football Development at the Foundation, said: "Again
this is another great example of how well the Second Chance programme is
working in partnership with the Academy. As a Foundation we have produced a
full International and now our first professional footballer with hopefully
many more to come. I really do hope to see Val in the Champions League at
some point in the near future!"
The Second Chance Scheme, along with the full range of Learning Academy
programmes, are heading into a new year and the Foundation are looking for
new players. If you are aged 16-18 and hoping for a future in the
professional game, get in touch today!
Email staylor@westhamunited.co.uk for more information on the Foundation's
football schemes.
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Zabaleta: We have to be positive
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta says the Hammers have to remain positive as they head into
the final three games of the season searching for the points they require to
make sure of their Premier League status.
Having suffered defeats in tough assignments against Arsenal and Manchester
City, West Ham face Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton in the
final week of the season with their destiny in their own hands.
Zabaleta believes one win, or four points, will mean they will not have to
worry about what the teams below them achieve – a situation he wants to be
in as quickly as possible.
"It's still in our hands," the No5 said. "We have to go for the three points
in our next game, that's it.
"Leicester lost against their last game against Palace, then we have
Manchester United and Everton at home, so it's in our hands.
"Yes, Sunday's result wasn't good, but we have to forget that game, be
positive and move into the next game thinking we can get the three points.
"One more win, or four points, could be enough to be safe 100 percent. We
cannot wait on Swansea, Southampton or Stoke to keep dropping points. We
have to think about West Ham and getting three points."
The experienced defender is well aware that his team need to improve if they
are to achieve that target, but says the return of Manuel Lanzini, who got
an hour of football under his belt against the Citizens, could help towards
that.
He added: "We knew Sunday was going to be a tough game – we were playing
against the champions, the best team in the league. No excuses, they were
miles better than us and now we have to move on to the next game.
"Manuel is one of the most creative players in our team. He's not had a good
time in terms of injuries, but to have Manu back in the team is good news,
so hopefully he can help us get some points in the next games.
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll apologises to manager David Moyes following
row
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Andy Carroll has apologised and returned to training after
a row with manager David Moyes. Carroll was sent home from training on
Monday after Moyes was unhappy with him leaving the bench early in Sunday's
match against Manchester City. Moyes made a triple substitution during the
game, a 4-1 defeat, and Carroll headed to the dressing room early. It is
understood he was sent home after he refused to apologise on Monday. The
club now considers the matter settled. Javier Hernandez, Joao Mario and
Arthur Masuaku were sent on in the second half against City, leaving a
frustrated Carroll to depart for the dressing room and not return before
full-time.
Speaking after the match, Moyes said: "It's something I'll deal with. In
this situation what you need is everybody to be a team member, so if he has
done that, I'll look at it and I'll deal with it."
West Ham are three points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with
three games to play. They travel to Leicester on Saturday (15:00 BST) for
their next match.
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West Ham 1-4 Manchester City (And Other Ramblings) - A Letter to David
Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2018
By: HeadHammerShark
Dear David,
This is one of those open letters. God, how tedious of me. I've become one
of "those" people. I know, I know - I should be better than this. But then
again, so should our team after eight years of your ownership and instead
we're going to either go down or survive with fewer than forty points.
Neither of us have much to shout about.
First question - where on earth do you get your jackets?
I should be writing about this game, but to be honest, I've got nothing left
to say about West Ham capitulating at home. I've seen this game a dozen
times already at the London Stadium since you moved us there. I don't know
how many more times I can say that Cheikhou Kouyate is no longer in control
of his own legs, or describe Javier Hernandez nearly breaking out into a
walk.
So let's just talk, you and I. Two seriously pissed off West Ham fans with
an eye on the future.
I'm guessing that this weekend was tough for you. Perhaps I'm naive but I
still believe that you are a genuine supporter, albeit one with a remarkably
high tolerance for the team you support being abysmal. I suspect it must be
galling for you to sit in Director's Boxes with the officials of clubs like
Burnley, Swansea and Brighton and have to offer up polite chit chat while
the team you have assembled at such great cost gets destroyed in front of
you. I can't believe that at least a couple of them haven't at least leaned
over and whispered something along the lines of "David, old chap, not to pry
but exactly how incriminating are the photographs that Patrice Evra has of
you?".
You're not a quitter, you say. You're not walking away from a job half done.
Fair enough, I suppose, although I think you might be pushing the limits of
the word "half" there. It's the standard rhetoric of people in jobs that are
beyond them, but which remunerate them handsomely. And rest assured, I think
we are all aware that the several million pounds of interest that the club
pays you each year probably helps to while away the hours on those long
drives back down the M1 after yet another Northern shellacking.
I happen to think that people who refuse to quit when they aren't up to the
task are selfish. People mocked Kevin Keegan mercilessly but by resigning as
England manager in 2001 he helped England to reach a World Cup, by admitting
he wasn't up to it. I find that infinitely more courageous and honourable
than sticking around despite all the evidence being that you don't possess
the ability to do your job. I'm. Just. Saying. David.
***
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. For our story begins some time
ago. 2010, to be precise, and West Ham was a club on the precipice. We were,
according to the BBC, "in 16th, in a season plagued by injuries and off
field distractions". Seems a little outlandish, I know, but that's what they
said.
You described the situation thusly - "We have a short term goal to stay in
the Premier League, and in the long term we'd like to be challenging for the
top four and the Champions League....the club has such an unbalanced squad.
We will be honest with the fans about the books and the crazy wages the
Icelandic owners paid out that has brought the club to its knees".
I won't lie, David, that last one is my favourite.
You finished up by saying "We're taking on a huge task at a club with
enormous problems. It will take time for us to turn it around". Remember
what we were saying about a job half done? Time travellers from 2010 might
wonder if you've even started at all.
I should also add that there was also some stuff about how you always
supported your managers, right before you fired Gianfranco Zola and replaced
him with Avram Grant. For a bet, possibly. Anyway, we're five managers in
now so I always figured that one was probably a joke.
Plus ca change and all that, but I wonder if you ever sit at home, looking
at those life-size waxwork butlers of yours and wonder whether you are in
some mythical Greek hell?
I know I do.
In the same way that Tantalus is forever doomed to stand in a pool of water
that recedes whenever he bends down to try and drink it, you seem destined
to sit in the bottom half of the Premier League and watch poorer, smaller,
but smarter, clubs breeze past you.
It puzzles you, I'm sure, that fans aren't more grateful to you for saving
us. I suppose that can be put down to the fact that a lot of fans don't
really think you did. They saw a very wealthy individual swooping in and
picking up a distressed asset that was always likely to produce a return
with even a modicum of investment. Harsh, I suppose, but there you go.
There can be no denying that the clubs finances look an awful lot healthier
now than they did in 2010, but of course this is largely due to the
explosion in television rights. While Karren Brady might like to brag about
turning around a failing business, most of us are a bit nonplussed by all
that. The single best decision you made was to employ Sam Allardyce, at
obscene expense, to ensure the club was back in the Premier League when the
gravy train rolled into town. And if ever there was a man unlikely to miss a
gravy train...
***
I have no doubt that you are perplexed as to why exactly a home defeat to
Manchester City would inspire all this angst among supporters. After all,
City beat everybody, have unlimited funds and scored a couple of flukey
goals. Their dominance says an awful lot more about the job being done by
the men who run the Premier League and UEFA than it does about you. And, in
isolation I'd agree with you.
I don't understand why so many fans are upset about a supposed lack of
effort when it seems clear to me that David Moyes had instructed the team to
sit off and hold their shape to try and deny City space behind our defence.
We did this at the Etihad to great effect, and I suppose you could say it
sort of worked here for about ten minutes. City scored through a deflection
and an own goal, both of which were unfortunate but exactly the kinds of
goals that you let in when you are shit. And David, before you protest, we
are absolutely fucking shit.
But I'm not sure it's this particular defeat that's really the point here.
It's the fact that every single one of us knew it was coming. I knew it was
coming. You knew it was coming too. I know you did.
Since moving to the London Stadium we have played the current Big Six on
thirteen occasions. We have won three (God bless London derbies), drawn
once, and lost nine. In those games we have scored ten goals and conceded
thirty four. Holy Shit, Dave! THIRTY FOUR. It's not just that we're
terrible, it's that we're reliably terrible.
We've never once scored four goals in a game at our home ground, and yet
Manchester City have done it three times. Once upon a time you could judge a
teams title credentials by how they fared at Upton Park, but under your
watch, we now get to see how they would play in testimonials. I honestly
thought Kevin de Bruyne was going to fall asleep yesterday.
Whether you accept it or not, the fact that we don't even remotely compete
in games against one third of the division is a pretty good reason for the
widespread apathy that is surging through your core support like poison
through a bloodstream.
***
But I'm sure, you're sitting there fed up at having your efforts ripped to
shreds. What of Dimitri Payet? What about that season of finishing seventh?
And you'd be right. That was a great season. You should have bought a decent
striker in January, of course, but instead did it on the cheap and missed
out on a Champions League spot that was begging to be taken. I often wonder
about that, and I'm sure you do too. Some better refereeing and Charlie
Austin instead of Emmanuel Emenike and who knows where we would all be right
now.
But if wishes were horses, I'd be dragging Nigel Farage through the streets
of Calais behind my carriage. We blew it and then returned immediately to
the stagnant mediocrity that has been the hallmark of your ownership.
Barring that one marvellous season when the Premier League went crazy, big
teams fell and little teams rose and bloody Leicester won the league, we
have been unrelentingly boring to support. I can describe it in no other
way. West Ham on the pitch are generally one of the most tedious sides in
the land.
We just... exist. Drifting aimlessly through seasons, lurking in the bottom
half of the table leaving nary a footprint in the sand. All of our impact is
on the back pages, as we lurch from crisis to crisis, amusing the world as
we go. We are irrelevant on the pitch and shambolic off it, and there is
nobody to be blamed for that other than you. I resent being asked to give
you my season ticket money before the end of the season because I feel like
I will just be endorsing you to go out and waste it once more.
Let me ask you a question, David, if I may. Is there any challenge in your
role? By which I mean, does anyone ever tell you that what you're doing is
wrong? If not, perhaps you ought to ask yourself why.
Once, many years ago, I worked for a brief time at a place that had a "hands
on" owner. The company had two security guards, one of whom worked from 5am
until 1pm, and the other from 12pm until 8pm. They had a handover period of
one hour in the middle. One day the owner turned up for an operations
meeting and noticed them both at reception. Troubled by such an unnecessary
display of manpower, he told his operational team to fire one of them
because it was ludicrous to waste money like that. Given how long ago it
was, this might have saved the company around £25,000 per year.
The problem with this was that it meant we had one security guard to cover
fifteen hours. In the end, he did the early shift and the company paid the
landlord of the building to have someone come and lock up. The cost of this
service? £40,000 per year.
Whether that is apocryphal or not, I don't know, but it was told around the
corridors as being true. And nobody was surprised because the distinguishing
characteristic of that business was that anybody close to the owner just
mumbled in agreement and told him what he was saying was great. It led to a
very well-paid senior management and a very poorly run company.
Challenge is a good thing, David. People disagreeing with you is healthy,
because it introduces some rigour to your decision-making process. Getting
people into positions of seniority who have a backbone and some vision is a
really healthy thing for a company to do. I understand that long-term
strategic thinking wasn't a huge part of your success in porn or property,
but it couldn't be more vital to the industry in which you currently
operate. You keep telling us that the manager must have the final say on
transfers despite employing five in eight years. Any player signing on
anything longer than a two year deal is likely to outlast the manager he
signs for. Can you not see that this is a nonsense?
If nothing else, please look around. Examine what is working for those other
smaller clubs who have gone skating past you so easily. You need some help.
You've done your best, no doubt, but there is so much more intellectual
horsepower in those clubs it's not even a fair fight. They have long term
business plans that allow them to think further ahead than the next transfer
window, and they don't lurch alarmingly from one crisis to another. It's
pretty tough to admit, but when your business is failing and you've changed
the staff, the place you do business and the management then perhaps it
might be time to admit that the only thing left to change is...you.
***
But before you get too excited about making lots of changes, David, I'd like
to ask one more thing of you. When you come to make those decisions - please
don't do anything for public approval. I know it's been your preferred
method to road test ideas by disseminating them through various social media
outlets and then gauging public response, but this highlights everything
that is wrong with your leadership. Your job isn't to satisfy fans before
the season, it's to do it at the end.
I know fans are a nightmare. How can you appease people who scream that they
want a high energy pressing game and then scream even louder for Hernandez
to be on the pitch? What hope do you have of reasoning with people who
insist on playing 4-4-2 without acknowledging that we don't actually have
anyone who can play wide in midfield? Where do you go with supporters who
criticise Moyes for not instilling a sense of organisation and
professionalism into his team and then side with professional waster Andy
Carroll because he didn't walk straight back into the team after being out
for months? What is up with people who plaster pictures of themselves in the
San Siro all over their social media accounts and then tell you they're
giving up their season tickets because they're sick of the number of
tourists in the stadium?
But that's the point, really - fans are emotional and illogical and moody,
but the simple thing we all want is success. Produce a better team and we
will fall in line. You need to stop taking short cuts and start working to
some semblance of a plan. Or better yet, employ some people to design and
implement that plan, because this current squad you have assembled is one of
the worst I've ever seen and fans have every right to be pissed off about
it.
None of which is to say that fans aren't important. We're crucial. But we
need you to listen to us on other things, because you've currently got it
the wrong way round. And so you stay silent when our fans are threatened,
when the stewarding is unsafe, when we are campaigning for safe standing and
when that godforsaken fucking stadium turns out to be a total disaster, but
find the time to canvas opinion about whether we should sign El Hadji Diouf.
This is madness.
Any business making strategic decisions to gain short term approval from
their customers is doomed to fail. If you had any belief in your own vision,
you wouldn't care remotely for public opinion. Instead we have this strange
briefing against Moyes now to prepare the ground for letting him go in the
summer. I happen to think Moyes would be a poor appointment, but still the
best you could realistically manage, although either way that's not terribly
important.
What's important is your long term plan. How do you want to play? What type
of team are you trying to build? What profile of player are you targeting
and how do you plan to attract them? If Moyes is your ideal candidate then
back him and commit to the plan. The problem is that you and I both know
that no such template exists. Instead, everything is geared to short term
survival and kicking problems down the road until you eventually sell the
club and can leave them for the next guy to resolve.
And there's the rub. When you took us from Upton Park you ripped the soul
out of the club. But crucially you didn't replace it with anything. I would
suggest that the only thing that could really have worked is to have
replaced it with a brain. A razor sharp, young, progressive, cutting edge
managerial set up that could have bridged the gap between us and the elite.
I can't tell you how often I daydream of West Ham Red Bull, David, because
it would be no further removed from the West Ham of my youth than your
version, and a damn sight more successful.
Instead...nothing. Just the same unimaginative approach that you have always
employed, and in the end it has led us to where you have always ended up. At
the bottom.
I should add that none of this is personal. I think you're a businessman who
saw an opportunity to profit and you took it. But the issue is that you
haven't given us anything. Absolutely nothing. Not the stadium, not the
team, not the managers, not the Academy, not even any glimmer of hope for
the future. And if your plan is to just hang on to the club until the
restrictive covenants are lifted and then sell for the biggest profit
possible, then you need to be aware of what that will mean for your legacy.
And perhaps you won't care, and perhaps your sons won't care, but you'll be
forever known as the guy who destroyed West Ham.
I hope it doesn't come to that, David, I really don't. It doesn't need to.
We have attributes that other clubs would kill for. Stand aside and let
people who know what they are doing utilise them. Look to Kevin Keegan -
admit you're not up to it. There really is no shame in it.
Yours sincerely,
HeadHammerShark
Disgruntled of Block 256
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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Andy Carroll returns to West Ham training after apologising to David Moyes
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 02/05/18 5:08pm
SSN
Andy Carroll returned to training on Wednesday after apologising to manager
David Moyes, Sky Sports News understands. Carroll was sent home from
training on Monday having refused to apologise for leaving the bench and
heading down the tunnel during West Ham's 4-1 defeat by Manchester City on
Sunday. Sky Sports News understands Carroll has apologised to Moyes and is
hoping to play a part as the Hammers head for a crucial match in their
relegation fight at Leicester on Saturday.
Striker Carroll was clearly frustrated as he remained on the bench as an
unused substitute before disappearing down the tunnel towards the end of the
game. In his post-match interview, Moyes promised to "deal with it", and the
pair were involved in a heated exchange before the Scot sent Carroll home on
Monday.
After a 4-1 loss to the champions left the Hammers just three points outside
the drop zone with three games left, Moyes told Sky Sports: "In this
situation, what you need is everybody to be a team member."
Carroll, 29, has made 16 appearances for West Ham this season, as he has
continued to struggle with injury problems. He was also sent off against
Burnley last October.
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Diego Poyet interview: How former Charlton and West Ham prodigy is getting
back on track in Cyprus
By Will Unwin
Last Updated: 02/05/18 4:22pm
SSN
From Charlton and West Ham to Argentina and Cyprus, Diego Poyet tells Sky
Sports about his unusual career path - and why he's optimistic about the
future...
When Diego Poyet left Charlton in the summer of 2014, having helped them to
Championship safety and won the club's player of the year award barely four
months after making his debut, the teenager looked set for the top. But four
years on, the former England U18 is rebuilding his career away from the
microcosm of football in this country. After two years of stagnation at West
Ham and a hellish six months in Argentina, Poyet is finally reigniting a
career that promised plenty and stepping out of his father Gus' shadow by
starring in the Cypriot First Division for Paphos. It wasn't the path he
pictured taking as a Charlton academy ace, splitting his time between
developing through the youth system and watching his father shine in the
Premier League. But the 23-year-old is happy to be back on track and excited
about the future.
"Pathos had a new manager, new players, so I thought let's just go for it
and signed for a year to get my head straight after Argentina," Poyet told
Sky Sports. "That was very important for me, to have no distractions. It's
been better for Argentina, that's for sure! "As you see with my last moves I
am open to new experiences but if something comes up in the UK then I'm all
for it."
As a teenager, Poyet played for England youth sides before eventually making
his debut for Charlton aged 18, having joined the club six years
previously.The Valley was not an ideal place to be at that time. The club
were in a relegation battle and controversial owner Roland Duchatelet had
just taken over - and he quickly removed Chris Powell after he handed Poyet
his debut. New manager Jose Riga arrived and the club were saved from
relegation, with Poyet earning plenty of praise in the process. "People say
'it must have been hard starting off with a team bottom of the league' but I
love a challenge," Poyet says, recalling those early days of his career.
"Being bottom of the table in the Championship and going straight in is
quite hard to do but I would rather do that than being 21 or 22 and being
nowhere near the first team in the Premier League because the club can just
buy a new player. "In the Championship or League One you have more chances
as a young player, especially if you've been at the club a long time and
you've earned the trust of the manager, respect of the players and the
people at the club and they know what you can do."
Despite his success on the pitch, Charlton were slow to try to tie down the
out-of-contract Poyet to a new deal, making him wonder about his worth at a
club where he had grown up. "After about three or four weeks they contacted
me and I wasn't really pleased with the offer they gave me. I'd been at the
club six or seven years and had a close relationship with a lot of the
players and the offer made me feel under-appreciated, considering how long
I'd been at the club and I'd just won player of the year. "There was a
discussion where they weren't going to make another offer. I was a free
agent and I told them to forget about it and I wasn't going to turn up to
pre-season, I was going to look for another option. That is how I ended up
leaving a club that I had a lot of admiration and love for. I spent a lot of
time there. It was my hometown as well and I ended up leaving in a way where
most people don't know the truth. "The contract was offered, I said I wasn't
happy with it and then they started throwing in things like a loan move to
Standard Liege and this and that. I wondered if they wanted me at Charlton
why they would offer for me to go out on loan somewhere. It ended in not a
nice way but it is what it is and I'm sure it's happened to a lot of
players."
A desire to stay in London meant West Ham's offer was the most attractive to
the teenage midfielder who was looking for a place to blossom in the Premier
League. Sam Allardyce was the man who gave him a four-year deal but he would
only make three Premier League appearances for the club in his first season.
During his time in East London he would go out on three separate loan spells
and play in five Europa League qualifiers under Allardyce's replacement
Slaven Bliic, but it was not a period Poyet enjoyed. "The first season under
Allardyce I felt I would have to suck it up, get used to it and then in my
second season we had the Europa League qualifiers with Bilic and I played in
them, so I felt that the manager was showing faith in me, I did quite well,
we had a penalty shootout and took one, so after about a year I felt part of
the team. "I was being patient, I showed I wanted to be there but when we
went out of Europe, Bilic was honest with me and said my chances would be
limited and if I wanted to go out on loan I should just go."
After loan spells at MK Dons and back at Charlton, Poyet reported back for
his third summer at West Ham to be told by Bilic he could leave the club.
The midfielder decided he did not want to see out the final two seasons of
his contract. "A lot of people would have stayed but I get frustrated very
easily so if the manager says that to me, I feel like there's no real way of
winning someone's trust back," said Poyet. "I rang my agent, I told him to
get me out of there, I didn't care about anything, I just wanted to leave
and sign somewhere else. I didn't want to be somewhere I wasn't wanted, I
didn't care how long it took. "I was made to feel like a pest - I would turn
up to training and I would know the staff didn't want me there. I'd go into
training and no matter how well I did there was no reward. "I couldn't do
that, I couldn't be waiting on the manager to be sacked, as that means you
don't want your team-mates to do well and I'm not that type of person. I
don't want my team-mates to do badly so the manager gets sacked and I get an
opportunity, I always want them to do well."
After being offered moves to Derby County and Rangers, Poyet took the more
extreme decision to join Godoy Cruz in Argentina but nothing went right for
Poyet in South America - and a ruling on foreign signings left him illegible
to play in the league. "I decided to move across the world to play," he
explains. "In Argentina you can only have four foreigners at a time for each
season. The club I signed for already had four players but a Uruguayan
striker was set to leave the day after I arrived. He was their star striker
but he went to do his medical and failed. "It got out in the news, so the
other three players occupying the international player slots didn't want to
leave. So no one was going to sign the striker and I was left as the fifth
player. "I was there for six months and could only play in the Copa
Libertadores, where you can register new players for that but not for the
league. "It was a nightmare, it was the worst time of my life. I was in
Argentina, living by myself, training week in, week out and for six months I
could only wait for the Copa Libertadores. "When it came around, the manager
was hesitant to play me as I hadn't played a game in months and had to
decide if he wanted to play a player who hasn't played and isn't match fit.
It was a nightmare for me. I struggled on and off the pitch, as I was
struggling to play and I was away from home for the first time properly, so
it was a very hard time for me."
Last summer, Poyet found salvation after being tested by his time in
Argentina by joining Cypriot side Paphos, who are managed by former Coventry
boss Steven Pressley. "After suffering in Argentina I wanted to go back to
what I was used to, being back home with my family and friends," he said.
"But when I left Argentina, I couldn't find the right place in the UK,
people were asking about what happened in Argentina and I hadn't played many
games since joining West Ham. "People were saying 'he's moving around too
much', so I ended up going up to a new club in Cyprus, who had signed 30-odd
players, all from different places. "I was sat at home in England calling my
agent three or four times a day - I must have driven him crazy. It's been
better than Argentina, that's for sure."
The standard of football in Cyprus has surprised and impressed Poyet, who
feels he is just thankful to be back playing regularly as he looks to prove
to himself and those around him that he is his own man, something he has
proved about making difficult decisions about his own career. Pressley
arrived in Cyprus a month after Poyet, reminding the midfielder what he
misses about the country he was brought up in and the football there. "I
think he [Pressley] has had to adapt but he has brought that British
mentality - he has coached in League One and at top clubs - and he has
brought that into our team, which has been great for us. Him coming with his
staff has been massive for me. "When they came I called my dad and said
'they're making me miss England so much!' because this is what I am used to,
at Charlton and West Ham, that atmosphere, the training intensity and even
just speaking English. It has made me miss home and what I am used to."
Not one scared of bold moves, Poyet might need to consider another in the
summer, and really could end up anywhere if he decides against staying with
Paphos.
His dad, now managing Bordeaux, is always at the end of the phone if he
needs advice but Poyet Jnr has seen the good and the bad of football and
isn't fearful of what might come next as he continues his pursuit of his
dream to reach the top.
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WEST HAM'S PRIME DEFENSIVE TARGET 'TEMPTED' BY LUCRATIVE SWITCHFeatured
Image
Date: 2nd May 2018 at 9:00pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham boss David Moyes has plenty of work to do this summer, although
he'll be focusing on the final three matches of the season after seeing the
Hammers dragged back into the relegation fight this weekend. A 4-1 defeat to
Manchester City has left Moyes' side just three points from safety with
three games remaining, while it also gives West Ham the unwanted record of
having the worst defence in the Premier League this season. As such, the
Hammers are widely tipped to rejuvenate their defensive ranks at the end of
the campaign and Fulham full-back Ryan Fredericks, who is set to be
available as a free agent, has been consistently linked with a move to the
London Stadium. West Ham have now been handed a boost as The Mirror stated
in their live blog (3:26pm) that the right-back is tempted by a lucrative
move across the capital, although there is still a chance he could sign a
new deal at Craven Cottage if his side secure promotion to the Premier
League.
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US Billionaire Paul Allen is interested in buying West Ham
By Adam Leatherbarrow - May 2, 2018 0
Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, is interested in buying West Ham
United from Gold and Sullivan, a source close to West Ham World claims. Paul
Allen famously co-founded Microsoft alongside Bill Gates which where the
bulk of his fortune originates from. He also owns MLS outfit Seattle
Sounders and NBA team Portland Trail Blazers as part of his privately held
company Vulcan Inc. Interestingly, during their 2016 pre-season tour in,
West Ham visited Seattle and trained at the Seahawk's VMAC training complex.
The Hammers lost 3-0 to Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field during that
tour. It appears Allen declared some interest in the East London team when
they had their first season in the London Stadium.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is trying to recoup the money spent on London
Stadium from the 2012 Olympics and conversion costs by welcoming offers from
oversees to boost the NFL franchise in London. Khan had a helping hand in
the bid for Wembley Stadium from Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner
Shahid Kahn and it is believed he is helping to sell The Hammers on behalf
of the club.
The Seattle Seahawks wouldn't be moving to London by the looks of it and it
is understood that no NFL games will be played in the stadium, but the land
surrounding the stadium in Stratford could be used as a base for the
Seahawks and visiting teams to train, as there isn't enough land around
Wembley Stadium to do this currently.
To add, Stratford's Olympic Park also has the Copper Box, which can be used
for NBA tours instead of using the O2 in North Greenwich.
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West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta backs fit-again Manuel Lanzini to help club
to safety: 'He's one of the most creative players in our team'
Manuel Lanzini played for over an hour for the first time since March on
Sunday
Pablo Zabaleta believes his compatriot can help West Ham avoid relegation
The Argentine wants his team-mates to focus on getting a victory at
Leicester
By Aditi Prakash, Reuters
PUBLISHED: 15:32, 2 May 2018 | UPDATED: 15:39, 2 May 2018
Manuel Lanzini's return to form can propel West Ham towards Premier League
safety for next season, according to team-mate Pablo Zabaleta. Argentina
international Lanzini has been battling a persistent knee injury and played
over an hour for the first time since March in last weekend's 4-1 defeat by
champions Manchester City. The 25-year-old also notched an assist as a
second-half substitute in the defeat by Arsenal earlier this month and
Zabaleta believes his compatriot's gradual resurgence can help West Ham stay
out of the relegation battle. 'Manuel is one of the most creative players in
our team. 'He's not had a good time in terms of injuries, but to have Manu
back in the team is good news, so hopefully he can help us get some points
in the next games,' the 33-year-old defender told West Ham's website. The
defeat by City left West Ham in danger of being dragged into the relegation
battle as they sit 15th in the league, three points and positions above
18th-placed Southampton with as many matches left in the campaign. 'Yes,
Sunday's result wasn't good, but we have to forget that game, be positive
and move into the next game thinking we can get the three points,' Zabaleta
said. 'One more win, or four points, could be enough to be safe 100 percent.
We cannot wait on Swansea (City), Southampton or Stoke (City) to keep
dropping points. 'We have to think about West Ham and getting three
points.'
The London outfit will be aiming for just their third away win in the league
when they travel to ninth-placed Leicester City on Saturday.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation's Second Chance Scheme has grown rapidly over the
last two years, and its success is now starting to translate into fantastic
results for it's participants. Valentin Obretenov, a Goalkeeper on the
programme, has recently signed a professional contract with CSKA Sofia in
Bulgaria, and he couldn't be clearer about how the scheme helped him to get
where he is today.
Speaking to whufc.com, Valentin said: "I am so happy to be where I am now
and without the Foundation's support over the past two years I wouldn't be
where I am today. From exposing me to full-time football and education
alongside the Academy and pushing me to play Non-League Football I will be
forever grateful. Sam Taylor, Jim Hampsheir and Kosta Stavrev are three
people I would like to say a big thank you to."
The Second Chance Scheme is a two-year, full-time education and football
development programme, offering the opportunity to study a wide-range of
subjects across a broad range of qualifications, including A-Levels. Open to
talented footballers aged between 16 and 18, the Second Chance Scheme gives
released footballers another opportunity to make it in football – and
Valentin's story is just one of a number of growing success stories.
Sam Taylor, Football Integration Manager at West Ham United Foundation,
said: "For me this shows what a fantastic programme the Second Chance Scheme
is. It's often talked about in football, but our scheme is genuinely
offering pathways for these boys, and with Val signing professionally for
CSKA Sofia, along with creating full international players just shows the
power of our programme and is a testament to the hard work we're all putting
in to get it right."
Bryan Glover, Head of Football Development at the Foundation, said: "Again
this is another great example of how well the Second Chance programme is
working in partnership with the Academy. As a Foundation we have produced a
full International and now our first professional footballer with hopefully
many more to come. I really do hope to see Val in the Champions League at
some point in the near future!"
The Second Chance Scheme, along with the full range of Learning Academy
programmes, are heading into a new year and the Foundation are looking for
new players. If you are aged 16-18 and hoping for a future in the
professional game, get in touch today!
Email staylor@westhamunited.co.uk for more information on the Foundation's
football schemes.
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Zabaleta: We have to be positive
WHUFC.com
Pablo Zabaleta says the Hammers have to remain positive as they head into
the final three games of the season searching for the points they require to
make sure of their Premier League status.
Having suffered defeats in tough assignments against Arsenal and Manchester
City, West Ham face Leicester City, Manchester United and Everton in the
final week of the season with their destiny in their own hands.
Zabaleta believes one win, or four points, will mean they will not have to
worry about what the teams below them achieve – a situation he wants to be
in as quickly as possible.
"It's still in our hands," the No5 said. "We have to go for the three points
in our next game, that's it.
"Leicester lost against their last game against Palace, then we have
Manchester United and Everton at home, so it's in our hands.
"Yes, Sunday's result wasn't good, but we have to forget that game, be
positive and move into the next game thinking we can get the three points.
"One more win, or four points, could be enough to be safe 100 percent. We
cannot wait on Swansea, Southampton or Stoke to keep dropping points. We
have to think about West Ham and getting three points."
The experienced defender is well aware that his team need to improve if they
are to achieve that target, but says the return of Manuel Lanzini, who got
an hour of football under his belt against the Citizens, could help towards
that.
He added: "We knew Sunday was going to be a tough game – we were playing
against the champions, the best team in the league. No excuses, they were
miles better than us and now we have to move on to the next game.
"Manuel is one of the most creative players in our team. He's not had a good
time in terms of injuries, but to have Manu back in the team is good news,
so hopefully he can help us get some points in the next games.
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West Ham striker Andy Carroll apologises to manager David Moyes following
row
BBC.co.uk
West Ham striker Andy Carroll has apologised and returned to training after
a row with manager David Moyes. Carroll was sent home from training on
Monday after Moyes was unhappy with him leaving the bench early in Sunday's
match against Manchester City. Moyes made a triple substitution during the
game, a 4-1 defeat, and Carroll headed to the dressing room early. It is
understood he was sent home after he refused to apologise on Monday. The
club now considers the matter settled. Javier Hernandez, Joao Mario and
Arthur Masuaku were sent on in the second half against City, leaving a
frustrated Carroll to depart for the dressing room and not return before
full-time.
Speaking after the match, Moyes said: "It's something I'll deal with. In
this situation what you need is everybody to be a team member, so if he has
done that, I'll look at it and I'll deal with it."
West Ham are three points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with
three games to play. They travel to Leicester on Saturday (15:00 BST) for
their next match.
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West Ham 1-4 Manchester City (And Other Ramblings) - A Letter to David
Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2018
By: HeadHammerShark
Dear David,
This is one of those open letters. God, how tedious of me. I've become one
of "those" people. I know, I know - I should be better than this. But then
again, so should our team after eight years of your ownership and instead
we're going to either go down or survive with fewer than forty points.
Neither of us have much to shout about.
First question - where on earth do you get your jackets?
I should be writing about this game, but to be honest, I've got nothing left
to say about West Ham capitulating at home. I've seen this game a dozen
times already at the London Stadium since you moved us there. I don't know
how many more times I can say that Cheikhou Kouyate is no longer in control
of his own legs, or describe Javier Hernandez nearly breaking out into a
walk.
So let's just talk, you and I. Two seriously pissed off West Ham fans with
an eye on the future.
I'm guessing that this weekend was tough for you. Perhaps I'm naive but I
still believe that you are a genuine supporter, albeit one with a remarkably
high tolerance for the team you support being abysmal. I suspect it must be
galling for you to sit in Director's Boxes with the officials of clubs like
Burnley, Swansea and Brighton and have to offer up polite chit chat while
the team you have assembled at such great cost gets destroyed in front of
you. I can't believe that at least a couple of them haven't at least leaned
over and whispered something along the lines of "David, old chap, not to pry
but exactly how incriminating are the photographs that Patrice Evra has of
you?".
You're not a quitter, you say. You're not walking away from a job half done.
Fair enough, I suppose, although I think you might be pushing the limits of
the word "half" there. It's the standard rhetoric of people in jobs that are
beyond them, but which remunerate them handsomely. And rest assured, I think
we are all aware that the several million pounds of interest that the club
pays you each year probably helps to while away the hours on those long
drives back down the M1 after yet another Northern shellacking.
I happen to think that people who refuse to quit when they aren't up to the
task are selfish. People mocked Kevin Keegan mercilessly but by resigning as
England manager in 2001 he helped England to reach a World Cup, by admitting
he wasn't up to it. I find that infinitely more courageous and honourable
than sticking around despite all the evidence being that you don't possess
the ability to do your job. I'm. Just. Saying. David.
***
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. For our story begins some time
ago. 2010, to be precise, and West Ham was a club on the precipice. We were,
according to the BBC, "in 16th, in a season plagued by injuries and off
field distractions". Seems a little outlandish, I know, but that's what they
said.
You described the situation thusly - "We have a short term goal to stay in
the Premier League, and in the long term we'd like to be challenging for the
top four and the Champions League....the club has such an unbalanced squad.
We will be honest with the fans about the books and the crazy wages the
Icelandic owners paid out that has brought the club to its knees".
I won't lie, David, that last one is my favourite.
You finished up by saying "We're taking on a huge task at a club with
enormous problems. It will take time for us to turn it around". Remember
what we were saying about a job half done? Time travellers from 2010 might
wonder if you've even started at all.
I should also add that there was also some stuff about how you always
supported your managers, right before you fired Gianfranco Zola and replaced
him with Avram Grant. For a bet, possibly. Anyway, we're five managers in
now so I always figured that one was probably a joke.
Plus ca change and all that, but I wonder if you ever sit at home, looking
at those life-size waxwork butlers of yours and wonder whether you are in
some mythical Greek hell?
I know I do.
In the same way that Tantalus is forever doomed to stand in a pool of water
that recedes whenever he bends down to try and drink it, you seem destined
to sit in the bottom half of the Premier League and watch poorer, smaller,
but smarter, clubs breeze past you.
It puzzles you, I'm sure, that fans aren't more grateful to you for saving
us. I suppose that can be put down to the fact that a lot of fans don't
really think you did. They saw a very wealthy individual swooping in and
picking up a distressed asset that was always likely to produce a return
with even a modicum of investment. Harsh, I suppose, but there you go.
There can be no denying that the clubs finances look an awful lot healthier
now than they did in 2010, but of course this is largely due to the
explosion in television rights. While Karren Brady might like to brag about
turning around a failing business, most of us are a bit nonplussed by all
that. The single best decision you made was to employ Sam Allardyce, at
obscene expense, to ensure the club was back in the Premier League when the
gravy train rolled into town. And if ever there was a man unlikely to miss a
gravy train...
***
I have no doubt that you are perplexed as to why exactly a home defeat to
Manchester City would inspire all this angst among supporters. After all,
City beat everybody, have unlimited funds and scored a couple of flukey
goals. Their dominance says an awful lot more about the job being done by
the men who run the Premier League and UEFA than it does about you. And, in
isolation I'd agree with you.
I don't understand why so many fans are upset about a supposed lack of
effort when it seems clear to me that David Moyes had instructed the team to
sit off and hold their shape to try and deny City space behind our defence.
We did this at the Etihad to great effect, and I suppose you could say it
sort of worked here for about ten minutes. City scored through a deflection
and an own goal, both of which were unfortunate but exactly the kinds of
goals that you let in when you are shit. And David, before you protest, we
are absolutely fucking shit.
But I'm not sure it's this particular defeat that's really the point here.
It's the fact that every single one of us knew it was coming. I knew it was
coming. You knew it was coming too. I know you did.
Since moving to the London Stadium we have played the current Big Six on
thirteen occasions. We have won three (God bless London derbies), drawn
once, and lost nine. In those games we have scored ten goals and conceded
thirty four. Holy Shit, Dave! THIRTY FOUR. It's not just that we're
terrible, it's that we're reliably terrible.
We've never once scored four goals in a game at our home ground, and yet
Manchester City have done it three times. Once upon a time you could judge a
teams title credentials by how they fared at Upton Park, but under your
watch, we now get to see how they would play in testimonials. I honestly
thought Kevin de Bruyne was going to fall asleep yesterday.
Whether you accept it or not, the fact that we don't even remotely compete
in games against one third of the division is a pretty good reason for the
widespread apathy that is surging through your core support like poison
through a bloodstream.
***
But I'm sure, you're sitting there fed up at having your efforts ripped to
shreds. What of Dimitri Payet? What about that season of finishing seventh?
And you'd be right. That was a great season. You should have bought a decent
striker in January, of course, but instead did it on the cheap and missed
out on a Champions League spot that was begging to be taken. I often wonder
about that, and I'm sure you do too. Some better refereeing and Charlie
Austin instead of Emmanuel Emenike and who knows where we would all be right
now.
But if wishes were horses, I'd be dragging Nigel Farage through the streets
of Calais behind my carriage. We blew it and then returned immediately to
the stagnant mediocrity that has been the hallmark of your ownership.
Barring that one marvellous season when the Premier League went crazy, big
teams fell and little teams rose and bloody Leicester won the league, we
have been unrelentingly boring to support. I can describe it in no other
way. West Ham on the pitch are generally one of the most tedious sides in
the land.
We just... exist. Drifting aimlessly through seasons, lurking in the bottom
half of the table leaving nary a footprint in the sand. All of our impact is
on the back pages, as we lurch from crisis to crisis, amusing the world as
we go. We are irrelevant on the pitch and shambolic off it, and there is
nobody to be blamed for that other than you. I resent being asked to give
you my season ticket money before the end of the season because I feel like
I will just be endorsing you to go out and waste it once more.
Let me ask you a question, David, if I may. Is there any challenge in your
role? By which I mean, does anyone ever tell you that what you're doing is
wrong? If not, perhaps you ought to ask yourself why.
Once, many years ago, I worked for a brief time at a place that had a "hands
on" owner. The company had two security guards, one of whom worked from 5am
until 1pm, and the other from 12pm until 8pm. They had a handover period of
one hour in the middle. One day the owner turned up for an operations
meeting and noticed them both at reception. Troubled by such an unnecessary
display of manpower, he told his operational team to fire one of them
because it was ludicrous to waste money like that. Given how long ago it
was, this might have saved the company around £25,000 per year.
The problem with this was that it meant we had one security guard to cover
fifteen hours. In the end, he did the early shift and the company paid the
landlord of the building to have someone come and lock up. The cost of this
service? £40,000 per year.
Whether that is apocryphal or not, I don't know, but it was told around the
corridors as being true. And nobody was surprised because the distinguishing
characteristic of that business was that anybody close to the owner just
mumbled in agreement and told him what he was saying was great. It led to a
very well-paid senior management and a very poorly run company.
Challenge is a good thing, David. People disagreeing with you is healthy,
because it introduces some rigour to your decision-making process. Getting
people into positions of seniority who have a backbone and some vision is a
really healthy thing for a company to do. I understand that long-term
strategic thinking wasn't a huge part of your success in porn or property,
but it couldn't be more vital to the industry in which you currently
operate. You keep telling us that the manager must have the final say on
transfers despite employing five in eight years. Any player signing on
anything longer than a two year deal is likely to outlast the manager he
signs for. Can you not see that this is a nonsense?
If nothing else, please look around. Examine what is working for those other
smaller clubs who have gone skating past you so easily. You need some help.
You've done your best, no doubt, but there is so much more intellectual
horsepower in those clubs it's not even a fair fight. They have long term
business plans that allow them to think further ahead than the next transfer
window, and they don't lurch alarmingly from one crisis to another. It's
pretty tough to admit, but when your business is failing and you've changed
the staff, the place you do business and the management then perhaps it
might be time to admit that the only thing left to change is...you.
***
But before you get too excited about making lots of changes, David, I'd like
to ask one more thing of you. When you come to make those decisions - please
don't do anything for public approval. I know it's been your preferred
method to road test ideas by disseminating them through various social media
outlets and then gauging public response, but this highlights everything
that is wrong with your leadership. Your job isn't to satisfy fans before
the season, it's to do it at the end.
I know fans are a nightmare. How can you appease people who scream that they
want a high energy pressing game and then scream even louder for Hernandez
to be on the pitch? What hope do you have of reasoning with people who
insist on playing 4-4-2 without acknowledging that we don't actually have
anyone who can play wide in midfield? Where do you go with supporters who
criticise Moyes for not instilling a sense of organisation and
professionalism into his team and then side with professional waster Andy
Carroll because he didn't walk straight back into the team after being out
for months? What is up with people who plaster pictures of themselves in the
San Siro all over their social media accounts and then tell you they're
giving up their season tickets because they're sick of the number of
tourists in the stadium?
But that's the point, really - fans are emotional and illogical and moody,
but the simple thing we all want is success. Produce a better team and we
will fall in line. You need to stop taking short cuts and start working to
some semblance of a plan. Or better yet, employ some people to design and
implement that plan, because this current squad you have assembled is one of
the worst I've ever seen and fans have every right to be pissed off about
it.
None of which is to say that fans aren't important. We're crucial. But we
need you to listen to us on other things, because you've currently got it
the wrong way round. And so you stay silent when our fans are threatened,
when the stewarding is unsafe, when we are campaigning for safe standing and
when that godforsaken fucking stadium turns out to be a total disaster, but
find the time to canvas opinion about whether we should sign El Hadji Diouf.
This is madness.
Any business making strategic decisions to gain short term approval from
their customers is doomed to fail. If you had any belief in your own vision,
you wouldn't care remotely for public opinion. Instead we have this strange
briefing against Moyes now to prepare the ground for letting him go in the
summer. I happen to think Moyes would be a poor appointment, but still the
best you could realistically manage, although either way that's not terribly
important.
What's important is your long term plan. How do you want to play? What type
of team are you trying to build? What profile of player are you targeting
and how do you plan to attract them? If Moyes is your ideal candidate then
back him and commit to the plan. The problem is that you and I both know
that no such template exists. Instead, everything is geared to short term
survival and kicking problems down the road until you eventually sell the
club and can leave them for the next guy to resolve.
And there's the rub. When you took us from Upton Park you ripped the soul
out of the club. But crucially you didn't replace it with anything. I would
suggest that the only thing that could really have worked is to have
replaced it with a brain. A razor sharp, young, progressive, cutting edge
managerial set up that could have bridged the gap between us and the elite.
I can't tell you how often I daydream of West Ham Red Bull, David, because
it would be no further removed from the West Ham of my youth than your
version, and a damn sight more successful.
Instead...nothing. Just the same unimaginative approach that you have always
employed, and in the end it has led us to where you have always ended up. At
the bottom.
I should add that none of this is personal. I think you're a businessman who
saw an opportunity to profit and you took it. But the issue is that you
haven't given us anything. Absolutely nothing. Not the stadium, not the
team, not the managers, not the Academy, not even any glimmer of hope for
the future. And if your plan is to just hang on to the club until the
restrictive covenants are lifted and then sell for the biggest profit
possible, then you need to be aware of what that will mean for your legacy.
And perhaps you won't care, and perhaps your sons won't care, but you'll be
forever known as the guy who destroyed West Ham.
I hope it doesn't come to that, David, I really don't. It doesn't need to.
We have attributes that other clubs would kill for. Stand aside and let
people who know what they are doing utilise them. Look to Kevin Keegan -
admit you're not up to it. There really is no shame in it.
Yours sincerely,
HeadHammerShark
Disgruntled of Block 256
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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Andy Carroll returns to West Ham training after apologising to David Moyes
By Sky Sports News
Last Updated: 02/05/18 5:08pm
SSN
Andy Carroll returned to training on Wednesday after apologising to manager
David Moyes, Sky Sports News understands. Carroll was sent home from
training on Monday having refused to apologise for leaving the bench and
heading down the tunnel during West Ham's 4-1 defeat by Manchester City on
Sunday. Sky Sports News understands Carroll has apologised to Moyes and is
hoping to play a part as the Hammers head for a crucial match in their
relegation fight at Leicester on Saturday.
Striker Carroll was clearly frustrated as he remained on the bench as an
unused substitute before disappearing down the tunnel towards the end of the
game. In his post-match interview, Moyes promised to "deal with it", and the
pair were involved in a heated exchange before the Scot sent Carroll home on
Monday.
After a 4-1 loss to the champions left the Hammers just three points outside
the drop zone with three games left, Moyes told Sky Sports: "In this
situation, what you need is everybody to be a team member."
Carroll, 29, has made 16 appearances for West Ham this season, as he has
continued to struggle with injury problems. He was also sent off against
Burnley last October.
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Diego Poyet interview: How former Charlton and West Ham prodigy is getting
back on track in Cyprus
By Will Unwin
Last Updated: 02/05/18 4:22pm
SSN
From Charlton and West Ham to Argentina and Cyprus, Diego Poyet tells Sky
Sports about his unusual career path - and why he's optimistic about the
future...
When Diego Poyet left Charlton in the summer of 2014, having helped them to
Championship safety and won the club's player of the year award barely four
months after making his debut, the teenager looked set for the top. But four
years on, the former England U18 is rebuilding his career away from the
microcosm of football in this country. After two years of stagnation at West
Ham and a hellish six months in Argentina, Poyet is finally reigniting a
career that promised plenty and stepping out of his father Gus' shadow by
starring in the Cypriot First Division for Paphos. It wasn't the path he
pictured taking as a Charlton academy ace, splitting his time between
developing through the youth system and watching his father shine in the
Premier League. But the 23-year-old is happy to be back on track and excited
about the future.
"Pathos had a new manager, new players, so I thought let's just go for it
and signed for a year to get my head straight after Argentina," Poyet told
Sky Sports. "That was very important for me, to have no distractions. It's
been better for Argentina, that's for sure! "As you see with my last moves I
am open to new experiences but if something comes up in the UK then I'm all
for it."
As a teenager, Poyet played for England youth sides before eventually making
his debut for Charlton aged 18, having joined the club six years
previously.The Valley was not an ideal place to be at that time. The club
were in a relegation battle and controversial owner Roland Duchatelet had
just taken over - and he quickly removed Chris Powell after he handed Poyet
his debut. New manager Jose Riga arrived and the club were saved from
relegation, with Poyet earning plenty of praise in the process. "People say
'it must have been hard starting off with a team bottom of the league' but I
love a challenge," Poyet says, recalling those early days of his career.
"Being bottom of the table in the Championship and going straight in is
quite hard to do but I would rather do that than being 21 or 22 and being
nowhere near the first team in the Premier League because the club can just
buy a new player. "In the Championship or League One you have more chances
as a young player, especially if you've been at the club a long time and
you've earned the trust of the manager, respect of the players and the
people at the club and they know what you can do."
Despite his success on the pitch, Charlton were slow to try to tie down the
out-of-contract Poyet to a new deal, making him wonder about his worth at a
club where he had grown up. "After about three or four weeks they contacted
me and I wasn't really pleased with the offer they gave me. I'd been at the
club six or seven years and had a close relationship with a lot of the
players and the offer made me feel under-appreciated, considering how long
I'd been at the club and I'd just won player of the year. "There was a
discussion where they weren't going to make another offer. I was a free
agent and I told them to forget about it and I wasn't going to turn up to
pre-season, I was going to look for another option. That is how I ended up
leaving a club that I had a lot of admiration and love for. I spent a lot of
time there. It was my hometown as well and I ended up leaving in a way where
most people don't know the truth. "The contract was offered, I said I wasn't
happy with it and then they started throwing in things like a loan move to
Standard Liege and this and that. I wondered if they wanted me at Charlton
why they would offer for me to go out on loan somewhere. It ended in not a
nice way but it is what it is and I'm sure it's happened to a lot of
players."
A desire to stay in London meant West Ham's offer was the most attractive to
the teenage midfielder who was looking for a place to blossom in the Premier
League. Sam Allardyce was the man who gave him a four-year deal but he would
only make three Premier League appearances for the club in his first season.
During his time in East London he would go out on three separate loan spells
and play in five Europa League qualifiers under Allardyce's replacement
Slaven Bliic, but it was not a period Poyet enjoyed. "The first season under
Allardyce I felt I would have to suck it up, get used to it and then in my
second season we had the Europa League qualifiers with Bilic and I played in
them, so I felt that the manager was showing faith in me, I did quite well,
we had a penalty shootout and took one, so after about a year I felt part of
the team. "I was being patient, I showed I wanted to be there but when we
went out of Europe, Bilic was honest with me and said my chances would be
limited and if I wanted to go out on loan I should just go."
After loan spells at MK Dons and back at Charlton, Poyet reported back for
his third summer at West Ham to be told by Bilic he could leave the club.
The midfielder decided he did not want to see out the final two seasons of
his contract. "A lot of people would have stayed but I get frustrated very
easily so if the manager says that to me, I feel like there's no real way of
winning someone's trust back," said Poyet. "I rang my agent, I told him to
get me out of there, I didn't care about anything, I just wanted to leave
and sign somewhere else. I didn't want to be somewhere I wasn't wanted, I
didn't care how long it took. "I was made to feel like a pest - I would turn
up to training and I would know the staff didn't want me there. I'd go into
training and no matter how well I did there was no reward. "I couldn't do
that, I couldn't be waiting on the manager to be sacked, as that means you
don't want your team-mates to do well and I'm not that type of person. I
don't want my team-mates to do badly so the manager gets sacked and I get an
opportunity, I always want them to do well."
After being offered moves to Derby County and Rangers, Poyet took the more
extreme decision to join Godoy Cruz in Argentina but nothing went right for
Poyet in South America - and a ruling on foreign signings left him illegible
to play in the league. "I decided to move across the world to play," he
explains. "In Argentina you can only have four foreigners at a time for each
season. The club I signed for already had four players but a Uruguayan
striker was set to leave the day after I arrived. He was their star striker
but he went to do his medical and failed. "It got out in the news, so the
other three players occupying the international player slots didn't want to
leave. So no one was going to sign the striker and I was left as the fifth
player. "I was there for six months and could only play in the Copa
Libertadores, where you can register new players for that but not for the
league. "It was a nightmare, it was the worst time of my life. I was in
Argentina, living by myself, training week in, week out and for six months I
could only wait for the Copa Libertadores. "When it came around, the manager
was hesitant to play me as I hadn't played a game in months and had to
decide if he wanted to play a player who hasn't played and isn't match fit.
It was a nightmare for me. I struggled on and off the pitch, as I was
struggling to play and I was away from home for the first time properly, so
it was a very hard time for me."
Last summer, Poyet found salvation after being tested by his time in
Argentina by joining Cypriot side Paphos, who are managed by former Coventry
boss Steven Pressley. "After suffering in Argentina I wanted to go back to
what I was used to, being back home with my family and friends," he said.
"But when I left Argentina, I couldn't find the right place in the UK,
people were asking about what happened in Argentina and I hadn't played many
games since joining West Ham. "People were saying 'he's moving around too
much', so I ended up going up to a new club in Cyprus, who had signed 30-odd
players, all from different places. "I was sat at home in England calling my
agent three or four times a day - I must have driven him crazy. It's been
better than Argentina, that's for sure."
The standard of football in Cyprus has surprised and impressed Poyet, who
feels he is just thankful to be back playing regularly as he looks to prove
to himself and those around him that he is his own man, something he has
proved about making difficult decisions about his own career. Pressley
arrived in Cyprus a month after Poyet, reminding the midfielder what he
misses about the country he was brought up in and the football there. "I
think he [Pressley] has had to adapt but he has brought that British
mentality - he has coached in League One and at top clubs - and he has
brought that into our team, which has been great for us. Him coming with his
staff has been massive for me. "When they came I called my dad and said
'they're making me miss England so much!' because this is what I am used to,
at Charlton and West Ham, that atmosphere, the training intensity and even
just speaking English. It has made me miss home and what I am used to."
Not one scared of bold moves, Poyet might need to consider another in the
summer, and really could end up anywhere if he decides against staying with
Paphos.
His dad, now managing Bordeaux, is always at the end of the phone if he
needs advice but Poyet Jnr has seen the good and the bad of football and
isn't fearful of what might come next as he continues his pursuit of his
dream to reach the top.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
WEST HAM'S PRIME DEFENSIVE TARGET 'TEMPTED' BY LUCRATIVE SWITCHFeatured
Image
Date: 2nd May 2018 at 9:00pm
Written by: Josh Challies
West Ham boss David Moyes has plenty of work to do this summer, although
he'll be focusing on the final three matches of the season after seeing the
Hammers dragged back into the relegation fight this weekend. A 4-1 defeat to
Manchester City has left Moyes' side just three points from safety with
three games remaining, while it also gives West Ham the unwanted record of
having the worst defence in the Premier League this season. As such, the
Hammers are widely tipped to rejuvenate their defensive ranks at the end of
the campaign and Fulham full-back Ryan Fredericks, who is set to be
available as a free agent, has been consistently linked with a move to the
London Stadium. West Ham have now been handed a boost as The Mirror stated
in their live blog (3:26pm) that the right-back is tempted by a lucrative
move across the capital, although there is still a chance he could sign a
new deal at Craven Cottage if his side secure promotion to the Premier
League.
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US Billionaire Paul Allen is interested in buying West Ham
By Adam Leatherbarrow - May 2, 2018 0
Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks, is interested in buying West Ham
United from Gold and Sullivan, a source close to West Ham World claims. Paul
Allen famously co-founded Microsoft alongside Bill Gates which where the
bulk of his fortune originates from. He also owns MLS outfit Seattle
Sounders and NBA team Portland Trail Blazers as part of his privately held
company Vulcan Inc. Interestingly, during their 2016 pre-season tour in,
West Ham visited Seattle and trained at the Seahawk's VMAC training complex.
The Hammers lost 3-0 to Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field during that
tour. It appears Allen declared some interest in the East London team when
they had their first season in the London Stadium.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is trying to recoup the money spent on London
Stadium from the 2012 Olympics and conversion costs by welcoming offers from
oversees to boost the NFL franchise in London. Khan had a helping hand in
the bid for Wembley Stadium from Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner
Shahid Kahn and it is believed he is helping to sell The Hammers on behalf
of the club.
The Seattle Seahawks wouldn't be moving to London by the looks of it and it
is understood that no NFL games will be played in the stadium, but the land
surrounding the stadium in Stratford could be used as a base for the
Seahawks and visiting teams to train, as there isn't enough land around
Wembley Stadium to do this currently.
To add, Stratford's Olympic Park also has the Copper Box, which can be used
for NBA tours instead of using the O2 in North Greenwich.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta backs fit-again Manuel Lanzini to help club
to safety: 'He's one of the most creative players in our team'
Manuel Lanzini played for over an hour for the first time since March on
Sunday
Pablo Zabaleta believes his compatriot can help West Ham avoid relegation
The Argentine wants his team-mates to focus on getting a victory at
Leicester
By Aditi Prakash, Reuters
PUBLISHED: 15:32, 2 May 2018 | UPDATED: 15:39, 2 May 2018
Manuel Lanzini's return to form can propel West Ham towards Premier League
safety for next season, according to team-mate Pablo Zabaleta. Argentina
international Lanzini has been battling a persistent knee injury and played
over an hour for the first time since March in last weekend's 4-1 defeat by
champions Manchester City. The 25-year-old also notched an assist as a
second-half substitute in the defeat by Arsenal earlier this month and
Zabaleta believes his compatriot's gradual resurgence can help West Ham stay
out of the relegation battle. 'Manuel is one of the most creative players in
our team. 'He's not had a good time in terms of injuries, but to have Manu
back in the team is good news, so hopefully he can help us get some points
in the next games,' the 33-year-old defender told West Ham's website. The
defeat by City left West Ham in danger of being dragged into the relegation
battle as they sit 15th in the league, three points and positions above
18th-placed Southampton with as many matches left in the campaign. 'Yes,
Sunday's result wasn't good, but we have to forget that game, be positive
and move into the next game thinking we can get the three points,' Zabaleta
said. 'One more win, or four points, could be enough to be safe 100 percent.
We cannot wait on Swansea (City), Southampton or Stoke (City) to keep
dropping points. 'We have to think about West Ham and getting three
points.'
The London outfit will be aiming for just their third away win in the league
when they travel to ninth-placed Leicester City on Saturday.
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