Daily WHUFC News - 6th February 2016

Preview - Southampton
WHUFC.com

The background

West Ham United travel to St Mary's Stadium on Saturday 6 February to face
Ronald Koeman's Southampton, with the Hammers looking to extend their
unbeaten run to four games. Slaven Bilic's men have been in good form of
late drawing with Manchester City and Liverpool before cruising to victory
at home to Aston Villa. Saturday's hosts Southampton themselves are in
terrific form too. After wins over Watford and West Brom, a late Charlie
Austen winner secured a 1-0 win away at Old Trafford before securing a
valuable point away at Arsenal.
In the reverse fixture in late December, the Hammers came from behind to
secure a 2-1 win after second half goals from Michail Antonio, his first for
the club, and substitute Andy Carroll. Going into the match, the Hammers
are sixth with 39 points, while Southampton are just a place below in
seventh, five points behind.

The history

Saturday's game represents the 101st competitive meeting between the two
sides, and as omens go, the Hammers have just shaded this fixture with 39
wins in all to competitions to the Saints' 31.

Slightly more ominous, is the fact that the Hammers have not won away at
Southampton since November 2000. That day, Trevor Sinclair struck the
all-important winner in a 3-2 victory after Frederic Kanoute and Stuart
Pearce both scored inside a three minute period.

Last season, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw which saw Adrian sent off,
although his dismissal was later rescinded.

Match info

Team news

West Ham United

The Hammers may well welcome Andy Carroll back into the matchday squad as
Slaven Bilic hinted in his pre-match press conference.New signing Emmanuel
Emenike may also make the cut after signing on loan. However, the Hammers
are waiting to see if Angelo Ogbonna has recovered from illness. Sam Byram,
Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are all unavailable.

Southampton

New signing Charlie Austin faces a race against time to recover from a
knock, however he could feature in some capacity. As might Steve Davis.
Jay Rodriguez is still out as is Florian Gardos.

Match details

Saturday's match referee is Mark Clattenberg. The experienced official has
dished out a total of 845 yellow cards and 43 reds in 259 games.
Clattenberg has taken charge of two West Ham games this season, the 3-1 win
away at Crystal Palace and the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. In games involving
Southampton, Clattenberg has been at the helm of defeats to Manchester
United and Norwich City.
The assistant referees will be Stuart Burt and Richard West. The fourth
official is Neil Swarbrick.
Originally, scheduled for Monday 8 February, the match has been brought
forward to Saturday, 5.30pm. The game is live on Sky Sports.
Tickets, travel, coverage and other info
Click here for latest travel news by train, and here for news on the roads.
A wet and windy day is expected on the south coast, with temperature at
kick-off of 11C.
If you are not heading to the game remember you can stay in touch with
proceedings on our digital channels. The whufc.com live match centre will
carry live audio commentary, text updates, in-running stats, photos and
more. You can also get involved in the conversation on social using #SOUWHU

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Diangana targeting success over Seagulls
WHUFc.com

Explosive winger Grady Diangana is targeting more goals as the West Ham
United U18s play their last game of the regular season away at Brighton &
Hove Albion on Saturday 06 February. The 17-year-old has been one of the
standout performers for the Hammers this term, scoring seven goals as well
as providing a raft of assists. Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to face the
Seagulls, Diangana said: "Overall this season we have done well. We had a
slight dip in the middle, but now we've won our last three games. "Hopefully
we can finish off with a win and try and get into the top four play-off
positions."
Earlier in the season, Diangana scored the all-important goal in the reverse
fixture back in October with a clinical close range finish. Having impressed
for the U18s, Diangana earned his place in the Development Squad side which
drew 1-1 away at league leaders Derby County. In a tight affair, it was the
winger's incisive through ball that set Luka Belic free to break the
deadlock. Diangana continued: "I was pleased with my performance, and I hope
to make more appearances for the Dev Squad toward the end of the season."
The U18s play Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 6 February, kick off at
American Express Elite Performance Centre is 11am. Find out how the young
Hammers fare by following @whufc_official and whufc.com.

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Noble - We are looking forward to every game
WHUFC.com

West Ham United captain Mark Noble admits the players are relishing the
number of games they are facing and hopes to celebrate another memorable
week by beating Southampton on Saturday and making it through to the
Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round.

The Hammers maintained their position in the top six with another impressive
home victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Despite the number of injuries which affected the squad in the build-up to
Christmas, the players showed their quality to keep the good run of results
going.

With Andy Carroll back in the squad and Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini not
far away from a first-team return, the signs are looking even more promising
for the final few months of the campaign.

And Noble hopes they will be able to maintain their good run of form and
make it a memorable end to the final ever season at the Boleyn Ground.

Noble said: "We're fit, we're ready to play. We've got Southampton at 5:30pm
on Saturday, then the Cup next Tuesday's going to be another exciting game
for the fans.

"The games come thick and fast, but there's only three months of the season
left, and with the way we're playing, with the enthusiasm and confidence
we've got, we're looking forward to every game.

"We went over the Christmas period having to rely on some players who
weren't fully fit, and other players who hadn't played any football for us
before, and we came out unbeaten.

"Since then, we beat Liverpool at home, we beat Southampton at home, we drew
with Manchester City, and we've only lost one in 13 in the League and Cup.

"Going unbeaten over Christmas, whether they're draws or not, you're still
picking up points. When you lose games, you get a bad feeling around the
training ground, but we were drawing, and now we've come out the other side
with players back and we're winning games again.

"We're sixth in the table, our highest position ever in the Premier League
at this point in the season. Why would we want to get in this position and
waste it?

"The expectations are there because of the teams we've beaten and the
results we've had. That's what's going to happen if you keep winning games.

"We've got a lot of players coming back fresh, we've just signed another
centre forward, so things are looking up. We just need to keep playing and
working the way we do, and see where we are at the end of the season."

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

I was really pleased with the 2-0 win against Aston Villa.

The game was a bit of a struggle; as those types of fixtures often are. You
couldn't help but think after they went down to ten men that it would be
easier but that wasn't the case.

They defended well and parked the bus and you could almost see their ten
defenders behind the ball every time we attacked. You ended up thinking it
was going to be 0-0 and that would have been an injustice.

In the end a piece of brilliance from Mark Noble was the difference as
Michail Antonio nodded his sublime pass into the bottom corner.

The second was a classic breakaway goal. They pushed up chasing the
equaliser and Enner Valencia and Cheik Kouyate did brilliantly to capitalise
on the chance and put the game beyond them.

We now take our excellent form to Southampton on Saturday. It's going to be
another tough game but we're on a winning streak and now haven't lost at
home in eleven games, with one defeat in 13 games in all competitions.

It's quite remarkable from the point of view of being in the Premier League.
You're playing Manchester City, you're playing Chelsea and Liverpool –
great, great football clubs. But we have deserved it. We always thought when
players came back from injury we would get over our little slump from before
Christmas and that has been the case.

In the past six years I've been at West Ham, you go to away games thinking
'can we get a point'? Now there isn't one club I go to where I don't think
we're going to get something.

We were a bit disappointed that we didn't get a point at Newcastle but you
can't say that it wasn't deserved. We will go to Southampton believing that
we can get something. We must keep telling ourselves that we are a good
side. We're not sixth in the table because we're lucky, we're sixth in the
table because we've earned it.

Since I arrived in the Premier League, I have always said it is the greatest
league in the world, despite the fact that it was dominated by a handful of
clubs. Now when you see Leicester City breaking in, Southampton there last
year and now we're there in sixth, not just on goal difference but on merit,
it is quite remarkable. All football fans should celebrate the progress
clubs like ours are making.

Andy Carroll should be back from injury on Saturday and the physios tell me
that Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho are not far behind him. They are not
squad players, they are key players for this Club and their return will give
us another huge boost.

Tuesday's game also saw us celebrate our famous Academy with some familiar
faces returning to the Boleyn Ground. We should also remember that our
current Academy is doing a great job. Every time I visit whufc.com and I see
that the U18s have won again or the U21s are unbeaten.

Terry Westley is doing a fantastic job in revamping our Academy and pushing
the latest talent into the first-team picture. We're seeing Reece Oxford and
Josh Cullen on the bench for all of the first-team games and I know there
are more behind them.

I would like to conclude by thanking the hundreds of Season Ticket Holders,
Founders and Priority List members who attended our fans' forum at the
Boleyn Ground on Tuesday. It was great night and I enjoyed listening to and
discussing the issues that mattered most to them.

I think we all have a great deal to look forward to and it is fantastic to
see that we are all working together to take our special club forward.

David Gold

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Southampton v West Ham United
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium
Southampton v West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Venue: St Mary's Stadium Date: Saturday, 6 February

TEAM NEWS

Southampton forward Charlie Austin has shaken off a knock and is set to make
his home debut for the club. Steven Davis is doubtful with a hamstring
injury while Matt Targett is out with an ankle injury.

West Ham's Andy Carroll is fit after a hamstring problem and January signing
Emmanuel Emineke is also available. Angelo Ogbonna and Sam Byram could
return from illness and injury respectively, but Diafra Sakho and Manuel
Lanzini remain out.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

John Roder: "The return of Fraser Forster to full fitness has given
Southampton a huge boost. The giant goalkeeper has yet to concede a goal as
Southampton have returned to form, and he was outstanding in the draw at
Arsenal on Tuesday. "West Ham arrive at St Mary's one place and five points
ahead of the Saints, with just one defeat in their last 11 in the league.
"The Hammers' FA Cup replay against Liverpool means this match was switched
back to Saturday with just seven days of notice. I really hope this late
change hasn't inconvenienced too many."

Twitter: @johnrodercomm

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "We hope to get more consistency, because
that's one of our ambitions that we had at the start of the season, to have
a more regular season. "It's the Premier League and it's so difficult to get
a good run, and to change it if you are in a bad run. "We know what we have
to do. The confidence is totally back in the team after the last few
results."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic on Southampton forward Charlie Austin: "He's a
great player. He has proved himself - he's not one of those who has only
done it in the Championship. "He did it last year in the Premier League,
scoring many goals for a team who were relegated, so for that money he
should be a great buy. "He would definitely be a player with quality enough
to play for West Ham. But we had different targets, we have really good
strikers and we were looking for different type of players."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

West Ham's good form has taken them into sixth but Saints are also on an
impressive run, including their excellent point at Arsenal on Tuesday.
So I am going to go for Ronald Koeman's side to edge this one, although it
will be close. Prediction: 2-1

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The last three meetings at Southampton have ended all square - including
goalless draws in the last two.
West Ham have never won a game at St Mary's Stadium (D4, L2), scoring just
two goals.
Their last win away to Southampton was a 3-2 victory at The Dell in November
2000, when Trevor Sinclair scored the winner. That was also the last season
they did the league double over Saints.
Southampton

Saints have won their last three Premier League home games, scoring nine
unanswered goals.
Southampton have registered four consecutive Premier League clean sheets -
they last kept five in a row back in 2001 during an eventual run of seven
games without conceding.
Fraser Forster has kept four clean sheets in his four top-flight appearances
for Southampton since his return from injury, saving all 12 shots he has
faced.
West Ham United

The Hammers have lost just one of their last 13 games in league and cup (W5,
D7).
After winning four of their first five Premier League away games this
season, West Ham have won just one of the last seven on the road (D3, L3).
West Ham have only conceded 36% of their goals in the second half of games -
the lowest proportion in the Premier League.
Enner Valencia has been directly involved in five of West Ham's last seven
goals in the Premier League, scoring four and assisting another.

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West Ham hoping to nullify Saints new boy
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th February 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic is hoping his team can do their talking on the pitch when they
face Southampton - and new signing Charlie Austin - at St Mary's tomorrow
afternoon.

Former Queens Park Rangers striker Austin is set to play aginst West Ham for
the first time since comments made on the KUMB Podcast by co-owner David
Sullivan regarding his fitness made the back pages of the nationals.

And although he has largely kept his counsel this week, the 26-year-old will
no doubt be keen to prove Sullivan - who questioned his long-term fitness as
a result of a previous failed medical - wrong.

Speaking on the KUMB Podcast last August, Sullivan - who was responding to a
question from a fan asking why West Ham hadn't made an approach for the
player - upset Austin when he said: "They say he has no ligaments in his
knee, who knows?

"To sign a player for £15million is a big risk. He could go on for years,
but knowing our luck his knee will go in his first game and that's the end
of it!

"If we had £100million to spend we may say 'we'll spend £15million and
gamble one-sixth of our budget'. But it's not one-sixth of our budget, it'd
smash our budget to bits.

"If he'd kept QPR up single-handedly you might say it was different. 16
goals [last season] is still very good, but when we played Queens Park
Rangers last year they had to win to stand any chance of staying up - and he
wasn't very good [that day]."

Austin eventually left QPR last month for a bargain £4million - a fee than
Bilic, whose task it is to keep Austin in check tomorrow, believes was
excellent value for money.

"He has proved himself - he's not one of those who has only done it in the
Championship," said Bilic during his pre-match press conference yesterday.
"It was a bit of a surprise that he went for that kind of money. In England
that is a small transfer.

"He would definitely be a player with quality enough to play for West Ham,
and for most teams in the Premier League. But we had different targets and
we were looking for different type of players. That is the reason [we didn't
try to buy him], not his quality."

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Gale fears for Olympic Stadium atmosphere
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 5th February 2016
By: Staff Writer

Tony Gale admits that he'll be 'absolutely gutted' when West Ham leave the
Boleyn Ground at the end of the season.

The former defender, 56, told the KUMB Podcast that whilst he understands
the club's reasons for leaving Upton Park, he is concerned that the Olympic
Stadium will not be able to produce the same kind of atmosphere for which
the Boleyn Ground has become renowned over the years.

"We'll have a nice bar, we'll have a nice lounge and we'll be able to get
there easily on the train and bus," he told Podcast presenters Chris Scull
and Bianca Westwood. "We'll be able to go through Westfield and do a bit of
shopping. Everything's going to be nice and it's all going to be right.

"But we've seen what's happened with Arsenal at the Emirates. They've got
more people in there, but it's dead. You have people coming from all over
Europe for the novelty value.

"Everything's going to be nicer and more luxurious, but when I was brought
up going to football wasn't about having a three-course meal.

"We'd walk down the embankment to Chelsea, we'd stop in a few pubs, I'd have
to sit outside and wait for my Dad and we'd go and watch the football. Maybe
we'd have a beefburger and then come home.

"Yes it's progress and there's a lot of money to be earned which goes back
into the club by buying better players and things like that, but without a
shadow of a doubt we are going to miss being at Upton Park.

"For the first year it'll be lovely - and then I think we'll all miss Upton
Park. We'll miss having to cram our way out of the tube station and all that
stuff! As ex-players we all meet up in the lounge at West Ham, are we all
going to be in different places at the Olympic Stadium? I don't know."

Gale - who was a member of the 'Boys of '86' squad who finished third in the
old First Division, West Ham's best-ever top flight season - also believes
that the club will find it difficult to replicate the special atmosphere
that night games at the Boleyn bring.

"Those game under the lights are the ones I'll miss," he said. "It was a
much better atmosphere as under the lights, we were a force.

"I wasn't at the Manchester City game but I could feel the atmosphere - and
then also on the radio in the car on the way home. Are we going to get that
at the Olympic Stadium?"

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I want Bilic To Do A Fergie
February 5, 2016
West Ham Way.co.uk
Bubbles Fanzine

How long does a manger get in a top Premier League job these days before
they get the sack or move on to pastures new? Three years is the most these
days it seems.

I feel quite disgusted with the situation over at Manchester City, their
manager knows he is getting the boot in the summer and who will replace him
a whole three months before the end of the season!
Van Gaal said when he took the United job that he will not stay in that job
longer than the three years on his contract either.

More and more these days football seems to be about the business side of
things rather than the football side of things, us fans have even been
referred to as customers by some club chairmen. The beautiful game as we
know it is changing the whole time.
Academies and the longevity of re-building a squad every four or five years
is no longer a thing, its all about the buying of top foreign imports for
crazy money and sacking the manager if it does not bring instant success in
the shape of trophies.

Despite everyone's passionate love of hating Manchester United, as a kid, I
always admired them in the Fergie era. He took over the year I was born, so
all I ever really knew growing up as a kid was them as a dominant force in
the English game. Every few years, Fergie would recycle his team, get rid of
the dead wood and bring on the next bunch of youth players, even if it meant
no instant success for a season or two, it didn't matter, his re-building
plan would ensure a really good squad of players would all gel together and
with a couple of very decent marquee signings here and there, his squad was
ready to challenge for honours again. This was a cycle he repeated over and
over again during his reign as the manager.

West Ham are about to enter what could be the most crucial phase of the
club's history with the move to the new stadium only a few months away, more
television money than you can shake a stick at and an already very decent
squad of players to use as a foundation; if things are done properly, the
Hammers will eventually be challenging for titles and cups.

The club has a pair of owners who love, breath sleep, eat , cry and bleed
West Ham and their business plan has turned the Hammers from being on the
brink of financial ruin to being in the top 20 list of the world's richest
football clubs. That in itself is mind-blowing and it deserves a doff of the
cap to Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold. They have also turned us from a selling
club to one that keeps its best players, something that only a few years ago
I thought I would never see as a Hammer.

So what's the cherry on the already very tasty cake that is West Ham United
Football Club? Slaven Bilic that's what. He is young, hungry, passionate,
gets what the club is all about, gets what us fans are all about and so far,
has shown that tactically he seems to know what he is doing and is not
afraid to make changes or even admit when he has made a mistake.

This season has been the definition of what the West Ham way is all about.
We lost 4-3 at home to Bournmouth but it was a thrilling game to watch, at
the same time, we have yet to lose to any of the "big teams" in the whole
season and it is already February.

Not only that, but we are seeing some great English and young players being
given a chance, Creswell and Byram look to be the future left and right
backs for England, we have a certain Reece Oxford who one day looks like he
will follow in Rio's footsteps as well. Add that to the established talents
of the likes of Lanzini, Sakho, Kouyate, Payet, Adrian, Randalph, Collins,
Reid, Tomkins (to name a handful!) and Bilic looks to be assembling quite
the squad!

This is where West Ham need to break the current Premier League trend. Bilic
will need to r-build this squad when some of the older players are too old
to play, he has a great academy to work with after all. The club has some
very promising youth talent and should Bilic be given a decade or so at the
helm, I can see him using a similar template as Sir Alex did at United.

I am not interested in seeing a Klopp or a Mourinho at West Ham, a three
year wonder who will win a cup here and there. I want Bilic to carry on
doing the job he is doing, backed by an immensely good board, backed by a
great stadium and the Premier League's money. Mark my words, if Bilic is in
charge for as long as Fergie was at United, there is no reason for him not
to achieve similar things.

We can see the foundations of success are already here, but the quick
success and sack formula isn't one I want to ever see at our beloved club,
longevity and re-building around our youth is the way forward.

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Charlie Austin a 'bargain' for Southampton, says Slaven Bilic
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 05/02/16 10:51am
SSN

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admits Southampton's £4m signing of striker
Charlie Austin in January is a bargain. West Ham were reportedly among a
host of clubs interested in signing the striker in the summer but were put
off by Queen Park Rangers' £15m asking price. Bilic opted to sign Dimitri
Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio, while Southampton snapped up
Austin for a cut-price £4m last month. The 26-year-old made an immediate
impact on his debut, scoring the winner against Manchester United at Old
Trafford, and could make his first start at St Mary's when Saints entertain
the Hammers on Saturday. "He's a great player," said Bilic. "He has proved
himself - he's not one of those who has only done it in the Championship.
He did it last year in the Premier League, scoring many goals for a team who
were relegated, so for that money he should be a great buy. "To add to that
he scored the winner at Old Trafford in his first game, so it's a flying
start for him. It was a bit of a surprise that he went for that kind of
money. In England that is a small transfer. "He would definitely be a player
with quality enough to play for West Ham, and for most teams in the Premier
League. "But we had different targets, we have really good strikers and we
were looking for different type of players. That is the reason (we didn't
try to buy him), not his quality."
While West Ham need to keep an eye on Austin at one end, they also have to
find a way past Fraser Forster at the other. The goalkeeper has yet to
concede since returning from a long-term injury last month, keeping four
clean sheets as Saints racked up three wins and a goalless draw at Arsenal
on Tuesday night. "He [Forster] is flying," added Bilic. "Since he came back
after injury they didn't concede a goal, so you can only imagine how
confident he is, and how confident the defence and the whole team is. "It's
a difficult time to play them, and a challenge for us, but we have answered
all our challenges really well so far. "We have respect for them and the way
they are playing, but also we are very confident."

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Southampton v West Ham preview: Charlie Austin hopes to start
Last Updated: 05/02/16 7:04pm
SSN

Charlie Austin returns to the Southampton team on Saturday to face a side
that passed up the chance to sign him.

West Ham were among a host of clubs interested in signing the striker last
summer but were put off by QPR's £15million asking price, while owner David
Sullivan had questioned his injury record.

Southampton snapped him up for £4m in January and after scoring the winner
at Manchester United on his debut, he will be hoping to make his first start
in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday evening.

Team news

Austin has shaken off the knock which kept him out of the midweek draw at
Arsenal, but full-back Matt Targett will miss out after picking up an ankle
injury in training.

Midfielder Steven Davis is also a doubt with a hamstring problem.

Slaven Bilic has been boosted in the striking department with both Andy
Carroll and Emmanuel Emenike in the squad for the game.

Carroll is fit after missing four matches with a hamstring injury and new
signing Emenike's work permit has come through following his loan switch
from Fenerbahce.

Sam Byram hopes to shake off a knock and fellow defender Angelo Ogbonna
should be fit after a bout of flu, but Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho (both
thigh) are still out.

Opta stats

Southampton have kept three consecutive clean sheets on home soil in the
Premier League; they last kept four in a row there in October 2013.

After winning four of their first five Premier League away games this season
(W4 D1 L0), West Ham have won just one of the last seven on the road (W1 D3
L3).

Saints have won just one of the last eight Premier League games with West
Ham (W1 D4 L3).

The last four Premier League meetings between Southampton and West Ham at St
Mary's have ended as draws.

West Ham haven't won both home and away against Southampton in the same
league season since 2000/01.

Fraser Forster has saved all 12 shots that he's faced in his four Premier
League appearances since his comeback from injury and is yet to concede a
goal in these matches. He has kept 17 clean sheets in 34 Premier League
games for Southampton, averaging one every other game for the club.

Merson's prediction

Southampton are doing well again. I was at the Emirates on Tuesday, they
rode their luck at times but they dug in to go a fourth game without
conceding. This has the makings of a good game, with West Ham in good form,
six points adrift of the top four. They'll have the FA Cup replay with
Liverpool on their mind but this West Ham team are a good team.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2

Betting

Southampton are Sky Bet's 4/6 favourites as West Ham (9/2) visit St Mary's,
with the draw priced at 13/5. The Saints are even-money to record a fifth
successive clean sheet and 6/4 to win to nil. Austin and Graziano Pelle
share favouritism in the first goalscorer market at 4/1 apiece, while Enner
Valencia is considered the visitors' biggest threat at 8/1 to net first.

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Bilic misses out
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Bilic has failed to make the top two in the January Manager of the
Month competition. The Irons boss was nominated with winner Ronald Koeman,
runner-up Mauricio Pochettino and Manchester City's Manuel Pelligrini.
Koeman has been credited for having won three out four league games in the
first month of 2016 – finishing off with a 1-0 win at Manchester United
after beating West Brom and Watford. The Tottenham head coach to the award,
whose side also won three out of four in January but were beaten at home by
Leicester. Pellegrini's Manchester City team went unbeaten last month with
two draws and two wins, while the Irons beat Liverpool and Bournemouth and
drew with Man City.

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Amazing success story surpasses expectations
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 5, 2016 in Hugh's Blogs, News,
Whispers
C and H

It's often worthwhile taking a long look back at possibly unpromising
situations and working out how they led us to a place of unexpected high
achievement. Two issues have prompted this thought – a column from the
Mirror's excellent Darren Lewis which I happened upon this morning and the
fact that Slaven Bilic's predecessor returns with his new club later this
month.
It's time to pause for thought! By wide agreement at the time Slav was in
for a very difficult time at West Ham United when he finally got the gig
last summer.

And Darren summed up his position perfectly when saying:

O West Ham courted the likes of Rafa Benitez, Jurgen Klopp, Unai Emery and
Marcelo Bielsa ahead of him for a reason: their records in club management
are all superior to his.
O he'd been sacked in Russia
O parted company with Besiktas
O and fan polls had him way behind some of his rival candidates for the
job, whose CVs stood up far better to scrutiny.

But showing his insider knowledge of things West Ham he added:

O West Ham plan to push the boat out this summer with five or six new
players arriving but said despite all that Bilic "has it all to prove at a
club where failure, in their final season at Upton Park ahead of their move
into London's Olympic Stadium, is not an option. "

It was a much fairer assessment of the situation than those pundits who
claimed that parting with Sam Allardyce was a huge gamble and that we'd all
live to regret it. It was a point of view that suggested West Ham would
remain a survival club forever under a boss who knew how to avoid relegation
which, whatever we may or may not think of him, is hardly the highest
ambition in the world. Truth is of course that many -even those who wanted
change which included the board – could not forecast with any certainty
exactly where Bilic would lead us.
What happened first and foremost – is that he made Dimi Payet his number one
target (he understood), gave the nod to Manu Lanzini and a late thumbs up to
Michail Antonio on deadline day.
He then set about fostering a of relationship with his players similar to
that he had at Croatia – which saw them lose just eight games in six years
under him. He has created a bond with the fans which seems unbelievable in
the short time he's been around and the board – who for all their assurances
to the contrary – have clearly been surprised by a man who certainly didn't
have the total backing of them all. The Slaven Bilic story of the last six
months has been one of the most extraordinary I've witnessed in football and
I hope and trust that come June the Irons bard sits down and gives him the
best contract ever offered to an Upton Park boss. Oh, and let's hear no talk
of one season wonders eh?

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Hammers try to help fans but big clubs win
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Premier League chairmen yesterday failed to give any help to away fans by
pegging the price of tickets at £30. The 20 clubs, despite being awash with
money over the next three seasons (£5.1bn domestic and £3bn overseas), were
divided by an 11/9 vote in favour at the end of the travelling away fans
debate which took up more time than any other issue in a five and a half
hour meeting. To succeed a minimum of 14 clubs will need to vote in favour
The big clubs – led it's believed by Arsenal were – as usual, against the
sensible and fair proposal to cap away tickets at £30. Claretand Hugh
understands that West Ham and Everton were vociferous in their support of
helping the fans by pegging the ticket costs. The issue will now be raised
again at the March meeting of Premier League chairman nd David Gold – an
advocate of pegging for years – will no doubt be battling with others to
push through the measure for next season

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
No problems between Valencia and Slav
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 5, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Slaven Blic has turned a blind eye to Enner Valencia's "demonstration of
passion" when being subbed five minutes from the end of the 2-0 win over
Aston Villa. We had suggested in a blog last night that the striker may pay
a heavy price for what looked like a fit of pique but we were assured by
David Gold a few minutes ago there's no problems between the pair and are
more than happy to put the record straight and be proved wrong.

DG told us exclusively: "Very often Enner is restrained but he was clearly
enjoying his moment after laying on a brilliant inch perfect pass for
Kouyate's goal "I think Slav's view was to ensure that he took his reception
from the crowd but Ennre was so into things he just wanted to play on and
on. "I don't think there was anything unpleasant in it at all because had
their been the manager would have dealt with it there and then.
"Enner's on fire at the moment and perhaps didn't quite get the point of
what Slav was trying to achieve by letting him take the applause. There's no
problem at all between them."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Michael Antonio knew he would have to work hard at West Ham but he has
eclipsed everything expected of him so far
Michail Antonio signed for West Ham United on deadline day in September
When he signed he admitted he didn't think he'd be involved so quickly
Antonio on joining: 'I'm going to have to work hard to get in the team'
The 25-year-old has scored three Premier League goals in six games
By LAURIE WHITWELL FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 14:33, 5 February 2016 | UPDATED: 14:33, 5 February 2016

After Michail Antonio signed for West Ham United on transfer deadline day in
September his phone buzzed with a good luck text from a knowledgeable
well-wisher. His reply was prophetic: 'I'm going to have to work hard to get
in the team.' Antonio was not wrong. He came on for 30 minutes of West Ham's
2-1 win at Manchester City on September 19, then was not seen on the pitch
again until November 29 as Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, and Victor Moses
provided Slaven Bilic with his side's attacking flair. During that period
West Ham co-owner David Gold rather awkwardly re-tweeted a fan's mock post
appealing for help finding a missing person, with Antonio clearly pictured.
Gold claimed error rather than endorsement, but all the same the episode
suggested the 79-year-old was not overly familiar with a player who cost
£7million. Not now. Not after a series of impressive displays culminating in
three Premier League goals in six games. Antonio looks to have found his
feet in the top tier and at the right time too, just when West Ham's season
appeared to be flat-lining a little amid injury crisis. In recent weeks the
25-year-old has benefitted from the setbacks cutting through Bilic's squad,
but has taken his chance and is not likely to let it slip. He was fortunate
to score his debut top-flight goal against Southampton, but proved fluke
need not feature with a powerful header in the victory over Liverpool. He
did likewise in the victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday. 'He will score
between six and 10 goals in Premier League this year,' said one source who
knows Antonio well. Some statement considering he was playing non-league
football seven years ago. But Antonio, like other players from lower leagues
doing well in the Premier League, is showing talent exists at all levels. He
faces Southampton again on Saturday, a club where he spent 2009-10 on loan,
scoring at Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final. 'I've never met a
more determined individual,' said another close associate. 'He has
tremendous heart, and doesn't take anything for granted. 'He has never had
it easy, not been to a plush academy with the best facilities. That is why
he took the David Gold thing so well, just brushing it off.'
His ability to find the net is the reason his fee was significant, even to a
team under transfer embargo. Nottingham Forest valued Antonio in double
digits, and would not have sold for less than £10m given a level playing
field. But after recording losses deemed unpalatable by the Football League,
Forest were prohibited from buying players or offering new contracts worth
over £10,000 per week.
Manager Dougie Freedman could not use typical tactics to persuade his player
to stay – fresh terms on more money, for example – and in truth Antonio
wanted to test himself in the Premier League. His sale, reluctantly agreed,
wiped out with one stroke Forest's annual deficit and edged the club towards
a freer reign in the transfer market. It was not the first occasion Antonio
had bailed out the club. In his one season at the City Ground he scored 15
goals in 49 games in all competitions, a fine figure from the wing. He
provided 12 assists too and was frequently the performer to galvanise the
side with a run or shot. He possesses a strong physique but delicate touch.
Many of his goals caught the eye, particularly one against Rotherham in
March when he beat four players and arrowed in a finish from 20 yards. 'He
is a good guy and never missed a single day's training,' said one dressing
room source. 'He is a quiet type during the week but on matchday he will
voice his opinion if he sees something that needs to be done.' Antonio had
arrived at Forest from Sheffield Wednesday in August 2014 for £1.5million,
following two good seasons at Hillsborough. Before that he had spent four
years at Reading, but failed to excel because, as one observer put it, 'he
didn't know his game'. They added: 'His game is power and pace into back
post and score a goal. Back then he would try to drift into middle of park,
wouldn't beat his man, and make the wrong decisions. He has matured and is
getting better every week.' Part of that is down to the hunger that resides
inside Antonio, forged during his time in non-league football. He was
prolific aged 17 for Tooting & Mitcham United and went back to the club on
loan in 2009, playing in front of crowds as low as 25 people.

MICHAIL ANTONIO CAREER HISTORY
2007-08 (Tooting and Mitcham United): 33 goals in 45 apps
2008-12 (Reading): One goal in 28 apps
2009 (Tooting and Mitcham loan): Seven goals in nine apps
2009 (Cheltenham Town loan) 0 goals in nine apps
2009-10 (Southampton loan): Three goals in 28 apps
2011 (Colchester United loan): Four goals in 15 apps
2012 (Sheffield Wednesday loan): Five goals in 14 apps
2012-14 (Sheffield Wednesday): 12 goals in 64 apps
2014-15 (Nottingham Forest): 16 goals in 50 apps
2015- (West Ham United): Three goals in 12 apps

'That's why maybe academy players at West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal, don't quite
make it because they lose that hunger and desire, they get too much too
soon,' said a source. 'Michail is different. He is very humble and nothing
will get to him on the pitch. He is very strong willed.' At 14 he could have
joined Tottenham's academy, but his mother Cislyn said no because the travel
time was too great from their south-west London home. He has admitted to
tears at that time, particularly when classmates Craig Eastmond and Matthew
Briggs went to Arsenal and Fulham respectively. Both featured for their
senior sides but are now down the divisions, Eastmond at Conference side
Sutton United, Briggs with Colchester in League One. Antonio, in contrast,
is on his way up and in the best phase of his life. It is credit to his
resolve when out of the West Ham side earlier this season. Bilic fielded
numerous loan requests from the Championship but Antonio declined. 'I have
earned my way here over a long time, I'll be patient,' he is said to have
replied. Yannick Bolasie, who began at Rushden & Diamonds, has provided
inspiration, while personal training sessions last summer back on pitches at
Tooting & Mitcham prepared Antonio physically. He spends his time away from
the game raising his two young children and relaxing with a large,
tight-knit family. He also seems to have a knack of predicting what lies
ahead. After playing against Aston Villa, but before his goals, he said: 'I
try to excite the fans and run at players. I always give 100 per cent. I
need to do more back in the team as an attacker; get more assists and more
goals. 'I had quite a bit of a break but as the games are coming on I feel
myself getting better and sharper. Once I get to that point I believe I can
terrorise the Premier League.' From the player who foretold his tough path
to get into West Ham's team, his confidence now should not be mistaken for
bravado.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimitri Payet can be West Ham's Andrea Pirlo, says Slaven Bilic
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard

Dimitri Payet may have been relatively unknown when he came to West Ham in
the summer — but not now. His talent has since attracted much attention and
the fans love to watch him, so much so that they have a song about him which
I know he greatly appreciates. Inevitably, though, the opposition will try
and nullify him as much as they can, just as we do when we are faced with an
exceptional player. In some games the other team will double up on him and
against Aston Villa, in the first half, he was marked very tightly. It was
easier for them before the break because he was, for most of the time,
standing out on the left. We told him at half-time that left wing is only
his starting position — we wanted him to go inside and roam — and then it
became much more difficult for them to mark him. Yes, the opposing team will
make plans to hopefully keep him quiet but there are many moments in open
play when it will be impossible to double up on him. We tried to mark Sergio
Aguero, for example, the other week when we played Manchester City and our
two central defenders did a very good job but still he scored two goals and
hit a post. Top players will always find a way. They tried to mark Andrea
Pirlo for three years. He plays in a central position so he is always in
front of you and you think it is easy to mark him with two or even three
players. I am sure every manager when they played against Juventus was
saying: "Mark Pirlo." Yet still Pirlo was always unmarked and after the game
the coaches would ask: "Why didn't you mark him?" The answer is that it is
about Pirlo — and now for us, it is about Payet. Also the rest of the team
help him. In the second half against Villa, Mark Noble was excellent, as was
Alex Song and Cheikhou Kouyate and they can also benefit from the opposition
trying to mark Payet.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham hero Paolo Di Canio to rock the Boleyn Ground again for Mark
Noble's testimonial
RICHARD PARRY
Evening Standard

West Ham cult hero Paolo Di Canio will grace the Boleyn Ground once again
after confirming his participation at Mark Noble's forthcoming testimonial.
The Italian, who scored 52 goals in 141 appearances for West Ham between
1999 and 2003, is the latest name to be confirmed for the match, as the
Hammers celebrate Noble's service to the club. "When I was coming up through
the Academy", Noble told the club's official website. "Paolo was the man we
all looked up to - he was a genius with the ball, and such a character on
and off the pitch. "If you'd told me then that he'd be coming back one day
to play in my Testimonial match, I'd never have believed it. "I'm so proud
and grateful that Paolo will be there, with all the other Hammers lads. It
is such an honour to share my big day with them on Easter Monday, and
especially so to be doing it at the Boleyn Ground, in our final season
here."

Also set to feature in Noble's testimonial are: Rio Ferdinand, Anton
Ferdinand, Matthew Etherington, Carlton Cole, Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker,
Stewart Downing, Danny Gabbidon, Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton, Yossi Benayoun,
Trevor Sinclair, Ian Bishop, Julian Dicks and Ludek Miklosko.

Procedes from the match, scheduled for Easter Monday, will go to charities
Richard House Children's Hospice, Help for Heroes and the DT38 Foundation.
Kick off at the Boleyn is 2pm on Monday March 28 (Easter Monday). Click here
for ticket details.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll and Emmanuel Emenike in West Ham squad for Southampton trip
JAMES BENGE Evening Standard

Andy Carroll is set to return to the West Ham squad for Saturday's match
away to Southampton, where he will be joined by January signing Emmanuel
Emenike. The Nigerian international has obtained the work permit that will
allow him to join up with Slaven Bilic's squad, having missed the 2-0 home
victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday. Emenike will do battle with both Enner
Valencia and Carroll for the opportunity to lead the line as the attacking
options swell for Bilic, who still has Nikica Jelavic at the club ahead of a
possible move to China. Injuries have meant that Carroll has missed ten of
West Ham's 23 Premier League matches this season, but the striker has
impressed in crucial games including victories over Southampton and
Liverpool.
Having been out since coming off early in the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth
Hammers head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenrboucke confirmed he
is fit to play a part. The striking duo will soon be joined by Diafra Sakho
and Manuel Lanzini, both of whom are "in the final stages of rehab".
However, January signing Sam Byram will likely miss the trip to St Mary's
after picking up a training injury that will rule him out for a week and is
cup tied for the FA Cup replay against Liverpool. His place may be taken by
Joey O'Brien, who returned to the squad for Saturday's FA Cup tie with
Liverpool after five months out with ankle problems.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic fires warning shot at West Ham owners about moving to the
Olympic Stadium
SLAVEN BILIC has fired warning a shot across the bows of his bosses'
ambition by pointing out that simply moving to a huge new stadium is not
going to make West Ham a big club.
By MATTHEW DUNN
PUBLISHED: 00:02, Fri, Feb 5, 2016 | UPDATED: 00:07, Fri, Feb 5, 2016
Express.co.uk

Slaven Bilic believes a move to the Olympic Stadium does not guarantee
success. The Hammers are looking secure in sixth place and can put even more
gap between themselves and the chasing pack by beating Southampton tomorrow.
That will inevitably bring with it talk of Europe - not least because
regular Champions League football is a cornerstone of managing director
Karren Brady's business model going forward for the club. However, Bilic
insists that it is far too early for any of that. And even the move to the
Olympic Stadium in the summer is just one more step along a very long load.
"Billericay could rent Wembley and play their home games there next season
but it would it suddenly make them a big club?" he said. "No it wouldn't.
This is just a step any club wanting to improve has to take, either to build
a bigger stadium or rent one for a year or two. Unfortunately it does not
make you a big club straight away. "For this to happen you need time, good
players, a good team and to be successful consistently for a number of
years. It was the same with Manchester City when they got all the money. It
didn't happen for them straight after. They took a few years to start
winning things."
At least Bilic is confident that the fans understand and are realistic about
the task in front of the club. I don't think people will be thinking that
just because we are moving there we will be fighting for the Premier League
or Champions League," he said. "The people know." And the Croat was keen to
explain that he meant nothing personal by singling out Isthmian League
Premier club Billericay. "I don't even know which division Billericay are
in," he said. "But I remember when I was playing here Harry Redknapp always
used to use them as an example of a small club or something that was not
good!"

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 5th February 2016

First and Last - Angelo Ogbonna
WHUFC.com

As West Ham United continue the final season at the Boleyn Ground, we've
asked the players for some memorable firsts and lasts from their careers and
lives. Today, Angelo Ogbonna goes under the spotlight…

FIRSTS

What is the first rule you would change?

I like the game just the way it is, nice and simple, so I wouldn't change
any of the rules.

Who was your first hero?

I have a lot of heroes, but the biggest one and the first one was Michael
Jordan, the Chicago Bulls basketball player. He was the greatest, that's
why!

Tell us about your first career goal…

Yes, I remember it was against Cesena for Torino in Serie B in Italy in
April 2010, and we drew 1-1. It was a header. It was a simple, easy goal!

Tell us about your first game for Italy…

Yes, I remember it was against Poland in a friendly international in Wroclaw
in November 2011. I came on as a substitute for Domenico Criscito late in
the game, which we won 2-0. I got a yellow card in the last minute, but we
don't talk about this moment!

What was the first CD you bought?

I have got a lot of CDs but I can't remember the first one I bought. It
would definitely have been hip hop or R'n'B though!

LASTS

What was the last concert you want to?

Beyonce in Milan!

Tell us about your last holiday…

It was a long time ago now, last summer! I went to New York!

When was the last time you changed shirts with an opposition player?

It was at Manchester United earlier this season, when I swapped with Matteo
Darmian, as we had previously played together with Torino.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

I can't remember the last time I went to the cinema, it was so long ago,
back when I was living in Italy! I did see a good film this week, though,
called Legend, which is an English gangster film made in London.

What was the last sporting event you want to watch?

It was tennis – Roger Federer against Novak Djokovic in the ATP Tour World
Finals at the O2 in December.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Di Canio to grace the Boleyn again!
WHUFc.com

Paolo Di Canio has become the latest West Ham United legend to announce that
he will return to the Boleyn Ground to star in Hammers captain Mark Noble's
Testimonial.

The Testimonial fixture between the current West Ham team and a West Ham
All-Stars squad will take place on Easter Monday, 28 March at 2pm. Tickets
for the eagerly-awaited match are already selling fast, and the chance to
see the return of the Italian legend will increase demand still further.

The proceeds from all ticket sales will be distributed between Mark Noble's
three chosen charities: Richard House Children's Hospice, Help for Heroes
and the DT38 Foundation.

Di Canio scored 52 goals in 141 appearances for West Ham between 1999 and
2003, one of the best and longest periods of his club career, and he will
forever be associated with the Boleyn Ground for the wonder volley he scored
there against Wimbledon in March 2000.

Di Canio will have to travel over the Easter break from Italy where he is
enjoying a thriving television career, whilst waiting for the right
management opportunity to arise at a UK club. When he heard that Mark
Noble's Testimonial was taking place and received the invitation to play, he
was determined to make it happen.

The decision to stagger the announcement of those taking part has meant
keeping some of the all-star names under wraps so both Paolo and Mark are
thrilled to finally be able to go public with news of Paolo's return to the
hallowed turf of the Boleyn Ground.

Mark Noble signed as a trainee with West Ham just as Paolo Di Canio left the
Club in 2003, but they finally shared the Boleyn Ground pitch together in
2010, with the Italian playing for both sides and winning the Man of the
Match award in the Testimonial match for Academy legend, Tony Carr.

"When I was coming up through the Academy", the Hammers skipper said, "Paolo
was the man we all looked up to - he was a genius with the ball, and such a
character on and off the pitch. If you'd told me then that he'd be coming
back one day to play in my Testimonial match, I'd never have believed it.

"I'm so proud and grateful that Paolo will be there, with all the other
Hammers lads. It is such an honour to share my big day with them on Easter
Monday, and especially so to be doing it at the Boleyn Ground, in our final
season here."

Di Canio joins a host of other former West Ham players who are so far
confirmed to appear in the All-Stars squad for the Testimonial match,
including Rio Ferdinand, Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Etherington, Carlton Cole,
Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker, Stewart Downing, Danny Gabbidon, Bobby Zamora,
Dean Ashton, Yossi Benayoun, Trevor Sinclair, Ian Bishop, Julian Dicks and
Ludek Miklosko.

Season Ticket Holders can buy their tickets now for just £20 with Under-16s
paying just £5. Tickets for Under 21s and OAPs will be £10.

For Members, tickets go on sale on Saturday 6 February and will be £25,
while Under-16s will pay just £10. Prices for Under 21s and OAPs are £15.
Tickets will go on General Sale on Monday 8 February, and VIP packages are
available from just £99+VAT.

Tickets are available to purchase online, in person at the Betway Stand
Ticket Office, or by calling 0871 529 1966 via Option 3 (9am-5pm
Monday-Saturdays) or 0871 529 1966via Option 1 (Call Centre open 24 hours).
Calls cost 13p per minute plus your phone company's access charge.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Chadwell Chatter - Michail Antonio
WHUFC.com

Hello everyone,

I have been getting goals in the last few home games and it would be nice if
I could start scoring some away from home as well! I have had three headers
and it would be nice for me to start using my feet now. I always feel like I
am going to score and hopefully I can stay among the goals.
It was an unbelievable cross from Mark Noble to pick me out but I still had
some work to do to get the ball past the keeper. We are getting to know each
other and he knows when I am going to make those runs. Some players would
have taken it down on their chest but I had the confidence to head the ball
into the far corner and it managed to go in so I was very happy. As the ball
was coming over I had a quick look to see where the keeper was and he was by
the near post so I decided to wrong foot him and it managed to go in. We
started the game well and when they were reduced to ten-men we took control
of the game.

If we doing well and winning games than anything is possible. We are not
focusing on what could happen, we are just taking it game by game and
wanting to take the three points. The next task is away at Southampton and
we hope to come away with another victory. We don't want to put any extra
pressure on ourselves. We are happy to stay out of the limelight and can
hopefully keep doing well. I had to be patient getting into the team but
hopefully I can keep showing the gaffer what I can do. Over the last
five-years I have been a first-team regular and now I feel part of the team.
If I am fit I have been playing and scoring and hopefully that will
continue.

Enjoy the game on Saturday.

Michail.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From the Newsroom - Jon West
WHUFC.com

Football writer for the national newspapers Jon West gives us his assessment
of the Hammers this season…

Given it is his first season in English football, I think Slaven Bilic has
done a very, very good job. His first task was to ensure a smooth transition
from Sam Allardyce's West Ham and he did that straight away.

Media wise, Slaven is very, very good. Despite his pitchside manner, he's
quietly spoken and it is sometimes hard to hear him at the back of the press
room!

The image he portrays is one of calm, if things go wrong, he won't panic.
It's hard to see him get overly upset about anything.

With 14 league games to go, Europa League qualification is definitely a
realistic target, hopefully they'll treat it more seriously this time. The
season started too early really, the squad weren't really ready, if they can
get there on their own merit, I think they'll give it a good go, that's the
level they're on at the moment.

The highlight of the Hammers' season, of course, has been the exploits of
Dimitri Payet. The Frenchman has really given them that added dimension and
I think the fans have been longing for a player like him for years.

He's a France international, so perhaps people shouldn't be too surprised
about his quality but saying that I think, relatively, he came in under the
radar. He's certainly hit the ground running in the Premier League and has
proved to be an absolute bargain.

Another player who has really stood out for me is James Collins, he has
really impressed me. He's come back into the side with a bit of a point to
prove but he's been excellent, he's come back and absolutely nailed that
centre-back spot.

Michail Antonio has also caught my eye. He's had to wait his time but he's
come in and done very well, he's clearly a very hungry player and he's made
a similar journey that Jamie Vardy has made.

The Hammers travel to the south coast to face Southampton which should be a
very intriguing game. A point is a good result away from home, against a
team that is on a very similar level to them. They're capable of winning it
but a point would be very good.

I actually think the performance in the second half in the reverse fixture
earlier this season was the best I've seen West Ham this season. Considering
they started off slowly in the first half, with Southampton cruising, they
turned a 2/10 performance into an 8/10. That performance sticks out the
most.

Afterward, I remember Bilic saying "We can talk about what I said at
half-time; but we should focus on why I didn't say that before the game!"

As for the Boleyn Ground, it is strange to think that there is only seven
league games left before the move. It's one of those great iconic English
grounds and it'll be sad to see it drop off the footballing map, but that's
progress and the new stadium is such a great opportunity for West Ham.

*The views in this article don't necessarily reflect that of West Ham United

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
James Collins: West Ham form is all for Chris Coleman's benefit
BBC.co.uk

James Collins believes he is playing the best football of his career,
entirely because of his ambition to play for Wales at Euro 2016. The West
Ham United defender has become a key figure at Upton Park this season and
has signed a new contract. Collins is a regular in the Premier League, but
not for his country. "My current good form is fuelled by Wales, 100% that is
in my mind, wanting to impress (Wales manager) Chris Coleman," he said. The
32-year old former Cardiff City and Aston Villa defender earned only 46
international caps, fewer than younger team-mates Chris Gunter (63), Joe
Ledley (58), Ashley Williams (55) and Gareth Bale (53). That is despite
making his debut for the Dragons in 2004 against Norway.

Euro aim

Wales face Slovakia, England and Russia this summer in France, Wales' first
major tournament appearance in 58-years. "This is the strongest Welsh squad
I have been involved with, it is a great squad and there is competition for
places. "There is no guarantee of being in the squad, let alone starting the
games. "So I feel like I need to impress the gaffer, that is my frame of
mind. "You know with him you need to train well and work hard. "I want him
to have me in my thoughts for a starting place or just to get in the squad.
"To go and be involved would be amazing, but the ultimate would be to play
well in a major tournament for Wales."

Euro 2016, Wales' key dates
Opponent: Slovakia Venue: Stade de Bordeaux Date: Saturday 11 June Kick-off:
17.00 GMT
Opponent: England Venue: Stade Bollaert-Delelis Date: Thursday 16 June
Kick-off: 14.00 GMT
Opponent: Russia Venue: Stadium de Toulouse Date: Monday 20 June Kick-off:
20.00 GMT

Senior pro

Collins feels he is ready to embrace the role of elder statesman in Chris
Coleman's youthful squad. "I feel like I have grown-up, Wales is a young
squad and I've been part of football for a lot longer than some of the
others," he explained. "I am a senior player and international breaks can be
a long week, I try to keep the boys entertained. "You bring your stories to
tell the boys and they are all great lads, the gaffer has got things spot on
in the Wales camp. "I enjoy it, all the players enjoy it and I'm playing the
best football of my career, personally.
"In the past we've turned up before the first qualifier and thought 'we
aren't going to qualify'. "That doesn't happen anymore."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Double striker boost for Bilic ahead of Southampton test
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 4th February 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has been handed a major boost ahead of this weekend's trip to
St Mary's. The Hammers boss confirmed this morning that he expects his match
day squad to be bolstered by the return of Andy Carroll - who has been
sidelined with injury since before Christmas - and new signing Emmanuel
Emenike, who trained with his new team mates for the first time this morning
after his work permit was rubber-stamped. "Andy is back," Bilic told the
assembled media at this morning's pre-match press conference. "He has been
training with us since Monday. He has been doing individual training for ten
days so he might be in the squad. We're going to see today and we will
assess him tomorrow, but he should be involved. "Emekine is training with us
today for the first time. He's a naturally fit player but again I would like
to see a bit of him on the pitch. He only arrived in England yesterday
because of the work permit stuff, but he's in today and is going to train
with us. We're going to see."

And there was further good news for Bilic with confirmation that central
defender Angelo Ogbonna - who missed the 2-0 win over Aston VIlla on Tuesday
night with a heavy cold - is also likely to return for the trip South.
"Ogbonna had a bit of flu and missed he game against Villa," confirmed
Bilic. "He's a bit better today and we're going to see him in training
tomorrow, which will be good. He could be in the squad for Southampton, but
we don't know about that."

With view to other injury issues, Bilic confirmed that there were no major
problems to emerge from the Villa test - whilst his attacking options are
set to be boosted further imminently with the return of two very important
figures. "We have a couple of other knocks but they should be alright for
Satruday," he added. "We'll have to see in training today. [Diafra] Sakho
and [Manuel] Lanzini are still out but both should be back within a couple
of weeks time, maximum."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll in line for West Ham return against Southampton
By Alice Piper
Last Updated: 04/02/16 2:54pm
SSN

Andy Carroll is set to return from a hamstring injury for West Ham's trip to
Southampton on Saturday. The England striker, who resumed training after a
month out, has been hit by a number of injuries since joining the Hammers in
2012 and has registered just seven Premier League starts this season. But
manager Slaven Bilic has revealed the 27-year-old is likely to be included
in the squad to face Saints, live on Sky Sports.
"Andy Carroll is back, he's been training with us since Monday," said Bilic.
"We are going to see on Thursday and Friday but he should be involved."

Carroll could be joined at St Mary's by January signing Emmanuel Emenike,
the Nigerian striker who arrived on loan from Fenerbahce. Emenike sat out
Tuesday's 2-0 home win over Aston Villa but has since received the work
permit required to join up with the squad. "We will see about Emmanuel,"
added Bilic. "He is going to train with us for the first time. He's
naturally fit, but I would like to see him." The Hammers are on course to
challenge their best ever Premier League finish of fifth, a feat they
achieved in the 1998-99 season. Bilic's men are only six points off
fourth-placed Arsenal after 24 games and their impressive form has raised
hopes that the club could qualify for next season's Champions League or
Europa League. We are fit, we are good, we are collecting points and I hope
we are going to continue like this. "We are good, we are consistent, I would
like us to be more consistent. Of course there is always room for
improvement but we are very confident," Bilic said.
"We have 14 games to play, which is a lot, but we are fit, we are good, we
are collecting points and I hope we are going to continue like this.
"We shouldn't be looking at the table at the moment, all we can influence is
our performances so that's what we'll concentrate on."

West Ham face a Southampton side who won three games in a row prior to their
hard-fought goalless draw at Arsenal on Tuesday. "Yes, they have been
unpredictable at times, but they are playing good, especially recently. They
are a good side, they like to play football," added Bilic.
"They have great individuals and great pace on the counter-attack, so I am
expecting a very, very tough game and a very good game on Saturday."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic among January award nominees
By Matthew Treadwell
Last Updated: 04/02/16 11:37am
SSN

Slaven Bilic, Ronald Koeman, Manuel Pellegrini and Mauricio Pochettino have
been nominated for the January Manager of the Month award. West Ham boss
Bilic saw his side pick up seven points last month, including wins at home
to Liverpool and away to Bournemouth. Southampton's Koeman is nominated
after his side earned three wins from four matches during an impressive
January that saw them defeat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford.
Pellegrini helped Manchester City maintain their title push with the club
unbeaten in January, ensuring he is included in the list of nominees. The
Chilean saw his side come from behind to defeat Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road
on January 2, followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace two weeks later.
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino completes the quartet, with Spurs
victorious in two of their four games last month, including a 4-1 win over
Sunderland and a 3-1 victory at Crystal Palace. City, Southampton and Spurs
could all be celebrating an awards double, with those teams also having
representatives for the Player of the Month category. Sergio Aguero has
scored five times during January, including a double in the defeat of
Palace, while Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli also gets a nod. Southampton
defender Virgil Van Dijk is also nominated for as string of impressive
performances, as the former Celtic player helped the Saints pick up three
clean sheets from their five matches. Premier League leaders Leicester also
kept three clean sheets in January, a fact recognised by the inclusion of
goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. At the other end of the pitch, Sunderland
striker Jermaine Defoe netted five goals during the month to help boost the
club's survival chances. The England international scored twice in the 3-1
victory over fellow strugglers Aston Villa before hitting a hat-trick in the
4-2 win at Swansea in their next Premier League fixture. Liverpool forward
Roberto Firmino is the final nominee, with the Brazil international scoring
two goals in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal before finding the net twice more in
the 5-4 win at Norwich. The winners will be revealed from 6am on Friday
morning on Sky Sports News HQ.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Valencia may live to regret crossing Slav
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

The next few days may show us precisely how Slaven Blic deals with
confrontation! We've had a taste of it via Morgan Amalfitino who, having
crossed swords with the boss, found himself down the road faster than you
can pronounce his surname. Since then it's been all sweetness and light
until Enner Valencia lost it when subbed towards the end of the Villa match
immediately after he'd played a major part in Chiek Kouyate's second goal.
The timing of his demonstration was somewhat counter productive with Emenike
having arrived and with Carroll and Sakho on their way back.

Sensibly substituted, the Ecuadorian international Valencia was one unhappy
bunny and threw his hands in the air whilst shaking his head at the
management team in the dug out. He swerved the manager's outstretched hand,
stropped his way towards his seat on the bench and ignored the manager as he
tried to call after him to shake his hand properly before throwing his
gloves to the floor in a prolonged sulk.

Some will say it was a display of passion for the team…I'd say it was
entirely stupid. I don't actually think Slaven Bilic is a man with whom you
want to pick a fight – as was shown the minute he walked into the place.

Interestingly, Valencia wasn't mentioned as the manager discussed his
striking options for the weekend at his press conference with him claiming
he was looking at Emenike and Carroll was likely to be involved. Maybe there
was no need to mention EV – perhaps he will start regardless but and then on
the other hand…..! I have the feeling Mr Valencia may regret his childish
show of pique.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Barca showpiece OS opener looks non starter
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

Hopes that Barcelona would agree to playing a pre-season friendly at the
Olympic Stadium took a knock this morning as negotiations with the Catalan
giants founder. Reports arose yesterday evening that the opening fixture at
the Olympic Stadium could be " an amazing pre-season friendly against the
mighty Barcelona."

And it's true that the club have been in touch with the most attractive club
in world football – along with various others – as they attempt to kick off
life at Stratford in style. However, ClaretandHugh was told this morning
when contacting our top club insider: "We offered them over £1 million but
we can't get them to agree. They have so many offers but it's not about
money for them. "It's a very difficult one to book and bed down anyway
because there is a very good chance of us being in Europe ourselves and we
would have to see what round we would enter."

Our source explained that other clubs such as Real Madrid and AC Milan had
been approached but added: "There are no agreements with anybody " because
ourselves and and possible European involvement makes the situation
particularly awkward."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Boleyn a fortress as we prepare to leave!
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News
C and H

Mark Noble may not have realised it but his words following the match
against Villa were hugely ironic. After his own massive performance the
skipper Nobes commented: "We're making this a tough place to come and
play." In itself that may not men too much to many but the unbeaten record
does indeed to back to August as Upton Park again becomes a fortress. It's
more than a bit sad this has become the case in the club's last season at
theBoleyn which of course for most of us is a tragdy in itself! First
seasons in new stadiums can be tough. Becoming used to an atmosphere which
will be a million miles removed from the family feel of the Boleyn could
cause a few stutters as we start life. Noble however, also reveals: ""This
is the best team I've been involved in and we've still got games to play and
points to pick up. To be fair I'm looking forward to every game." With the
additional players arriving in the summer we look forward to settling into
our new surroundings quickly and effectively but that UP should become a
fortress as we are about to leave it is ironic in the extreme. However, we
trust Slav. He has turned this club around at the Boleyn – I have no doubt
he will sort the new stadium 'issue' with the minimum of trouble

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slav checks out strikers
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News
C and H

Slaven Bilic has made it clear no decision has been made about Emanuelle
Emenike's involvement against Southampton. The Fenerbahce frontman arrived
in east London only yesterday afternoon after earning a work permit which
meant he missed the 2-0 win over Villa. Bilic – speaking at his morning
press conference – declared: "Emenike arrived yesterday after getting his
work permit, we will watch him and make a decision about his involvement.
Fellow forward Andy Carroll is back in training having not featured since
the 3-1 win at Bournemouth and will also be checked out thoroughly before a
decision is made. Bilic said: "We will look at Andy Carroll today in
training, he should be available for the squad this weekend.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble tells club to control expectations
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News
C and H

Mark Noble has made it clear the club has to manage carefully the growing
expectations among the fans as the players continue to ride the crest of a
wave. Already thoughts are turning firmly to Europe as the club maintain
sixth position with matches against top placed sides still to come. Noble
understands the current excitement but says: ""Of course we need to control
it. "That's what's going to happen if you keep winning games. We're sixth in
the table, it's our highest league position ever at this stage. "We were
unbeaten over Christmas. And even if those games did include five draws,
they are still draws. "Now we have come out of the other side, we have
players back and we are winning games again."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers warn on mega spending summer
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

West Ham have warned fans against thoughts they may have a major club
spending spree this summer. With talk of 20 goal striker and £20 million
purchases grabbing the headlines a top insider has warned that much of last
summer's spending was made against loans that need to be paid back. The club
are set to invest £8 million in Manu Lanzini once he has proved his fitness
after injury and Emanuelle Eminike is another possible signing dependent on
him showing over the next three months on loan. The jury remains out on Alex
Song as a free transfer and with the tight back position solved via Sam
Byram, the club seen no reason to spend the £35 million they splashed out
last summer. ClaretandHugh was told by a major source: "We had a very big
summer last time and we have to pay back what we borrowed but we are aware
that we need as good a striker as we an find at sensible money. It's a
priority. "We have shown with purchases like Payet, Lanzini, Antonio and
Byram that we have a top scouting system in place and we will find the man
we want at the right price. "We need to balance our debt situation and
player requirements but yes a striker is a must for us this summer."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Noble could face Testimonial headache
Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on February 4, 2016 in News, Whispers
C and H

A growing clamour for Mark Noble to be brought into the England fold could
leave the captain and club with a major headache next month . Noble was put
forward as a candidate for international honours by almost every BT Sport
pundit after his brilliant performance against Aston Villa on Tuesday
evening. Both Glnn Hoddle and Robbie Savage made their feelings very clear
that the Canning Town born player looked every inch an international
midfelder and called on England boss Roy Hodgson to give him his chance in
the game against Holland on March 29.
However, should he get the call he will be with England when he has a
testimonial scheduled for the night of the 28th and it would take a major
re-organisation for him and the club reschedule the 'testy.' A source said:
"X Factor winner Louisa Johnson has been booked to appear and players are
giving up their time to play in the match for Mark. It could become a bit of
a headache."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll and Emmanuel Emenike in West Ham squad for Southampton trip
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Andy Carroll is set to return to the West Ham squad for Saturday's match
away to Southampton, where he will be joined by January signing Emmanuel
Emenike. The Nigerian international has obtained the work permit that will
allow him to join up with Slaven Bilic's squad, having missed the 2-0 home
victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday. Emenike will do battle with both Enner
Valencia and Carroll for the opportunity to lead the line as the attacking
options swell for Bilic, who still has Nikica Jelavic at the club ahead of a
possible move to China. Injuries have meant that Carroll has missed ten of
West Ham's 23 Premier League matches this season, but the striker has
impressed in crucial games including victories over West Ham and Liverpool.
Having been out since coming off early in the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth
Hammers head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenrboucke confirmed he
is fit to play a part. However January signing Sam Byram could miss both
the trip to St Mary's and the FA Cup replay against Liverpool after picking
up a training injury that will rule him out for a week. His place may be
taken by Joey O'Brien, returning to the squad for Saturday's FA Cup tie with
Liverpool after five months out with ankle problems.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimitri Payet gaining cult status under Slaven Bilic at West Ham
ESPN

Slaven Bilic was full of praise for his West Ham side after they beat Aston
Villa 2-0. Manchester City may have Kevin de Bruyne and Arsenal are feeling
the benefit of Petr Cech but in east London, officials and fans believe
their club made the deal of the 2015 summer transfer window for what now
looks a bargain £10.7 million from Marseille. After five months in London,
Dimitri Payet has achieved cult-hero status. In the final season at Upton
Park, West Ham have the ideal man to help sign off 112 years of tradition at
the ground. Paolo Di Canio, Trevor Brooking, Bobby Moore, even a young Joe
Cole: players who graced E13 9AZ with a footballing outlook and cavalier
approaches that reflected what is known as the "West Ham Way."

And Payet, a player who embodies imagination, creativity and a touch of
rebellion, is such a player. Even in the season of Jamie Vardy and Riyad
Mahrez's heroics for Leicester, Payet has been a true revelation, a
performer well worth paying the the admission fee to see. "Number 27 ...
we've got Dimitri Payet" as PA announcer Martin Godleman specially singles
out the Frenchman when he reads through West Ham's team list at Upton Park.
"I like attacking football and that they're counting on me to help achieve
that gives me a sense of responsibility," Payet said on completing the deal
with Marseille in June, a transfer which co-chairman David Sullivan took a
leading role in pushing through. "Payet is the signing of the season,"
Sullivan said in December of someone who has scored six times and assisted
four in his 17 matches so far. "He's the best player I've signed in 25
years. He's a £30 million player."

If winning is important, then equally so is entertaining the home crowd at
West Ham. Perhaps moving the club this summer to Stratford's Olympic Stadium
might one day convert the team into the sort that competes for Premier
League titles but instead of that, the Cockneys and Essex boys who make up
the Hammers' support have asked for their football players to decorate a
tough part of the capital city with flair and elegance.

A failure to grasp that expectation often led to a difficult relationship
between former manager Sam Allardyce and the fans. "I don't know who
invented the 'West Ham Way' phrase, but it's a millstone around the club's
neck," Allardyce wrote in the autobiography he published last year . By
contrast, successor Slaven Bilic, who served the club as a popular defender
from 1996 to 1997, appears to have cracked the old code, and has placed a
player whose talent he terms "scary" at the fulcrum of his team. Though
Payet often begins matches on the left flank, he is granted near-total
freedom by his manager. The feints and flicks delight but he is by no means
a decorative player, and has made a huge contribution to a team sixth in the
Premier League, and within striking distance of a Champions League place.

Dimitri Payet has been one of the Premier League's most entertaining players
this season. Bilic's enthusiasm for what he had seen of Payet helped
convince the man born on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion to move
to a club with serious ambitions tied to its imminent stadium move. He has
been a palpable hit from his Premier League debut, a 2-0 win at Arsenal on
Aug. 9, in which his contribution inspired a famous victory over the north
London giants.

As West Ham stormed into a two-goal lead after goals from Cheikhou Kouyate
-- assisted by a Payet free kick -- and Mauro Zarate, Payet's ball-carrying
skills drove Arsenal to distraction. He bought tiring teammates time to rest
with daring drives into Arsenal's defence and he has largely replicated that
level of influence since then. It appears little coincidence that West Ham
won just one of eight matches during Payet's absence following an ankle
injury sustained against Everton on Nov. 7. He returned for a showboating
cameo return in their 2-0 home defeat of Liverpool on Jan.2. That afternoon,
he had fans chirruping in admiration as he careered through Jurgen Klopp's
team.

On Tuesday, as West Ham beat relegation-doomed Aston Villa 2-0 at Upton Park
to stay sixth, Payet began quietly, only to crescendo as his team soared
into an unassailable lead. Bilic grants him responsibility with the majority
of free kicks, while his teammates look to give him possession as soon as
possible, using him as the focal point of their passing triangles.There were
dummies aplenty, drops of the shoulder to send opposing defenders the wrong
direction and elastic control with both feet.

Occasionally, the flights of fancy took him off the wavelength of less
visionary colleagues. However, his presence serves to increase the creative
output of some of them, with captain Mark Noble, West Ham's star man on
Tuesday, particularly inspired to fire the angled pass that set up Michail
Antonio for the opening goal. With Villa down to 10 men for 73 minutes after
Jordan Ayew had been sent off for a crazy loss of discipline, the game
finished with home fans again chuckling as Payet bamboozled defenders with
skill.

Payet was the focal point of Marseille's attacks under Marcelo Bielsa. At
28, Payet is no overnight sensation. He was a veteran of four French
football clubs when signed from Marseille and was the leading Ligue 1
assist-maker in 2014-15. No player in Europe's top five leagues made as many
as the 135 chances he created for his Marseille teammates under the tutelage
of Marcelo Bielsa, the pioneering Argentine coach who Pep Guardiola counts
among one of his inspirations.

And that Arsenal bow was not Payet's first appearance on English soil. In
November 2010, while a Saint-Etienne player, he played 23 minutes at Wembley
in France's 2-1 defeat of England, replacing Florent Malouda on the left
wing. He has not become a regular for Les Bleus, though, and in October he
criticised France coach Didier Deschamps for omitting him from the Euro 2016
hosts' autumn friendlies.

"The thing that I haven't yet come to terms with is the injustice," he told
L'Equipe, evidencing the rebel spirit for which he has a reputation in his
home country. On-pitch fisticuffs with Saint-Etienne teammate Blaise Matuidi
in 2010 gained him particular notoriety. At West Ham, a place where a
well-travelled maverick like Di Canio once found himself a home and became
an idol, such qualities only add to Payet's appeal.

John Brewin is a staff writer for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter
@JohnBrewinESPN.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll back in training and ready to play against Southampton,
confirms Slaven Bilic as England striker returns from injury
By ANDY SIMS, PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 13:47, 4 February 2016 | UPDATED: 13:47, 4 February 2016
MAILONLINE

Andy Carroll is set to make his latest return from injury when West Ham
travel to Southampton on Saturday. The striker has resumed training after
just under a month on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. Carroll has
been dogged by injuries since joining West Ham in 2012 and has managed just
seven starts in the Premier League this season. But the 27-year-old is
poised to be added to manager Slaven Bilic's squad for the tea-time clash on
the south coast. 'Andy Carroll is back, he's been training with us since
Monday,' said Bilic. 'He had been out on the pitch training for 10 days
before that. We are going to see on Thursday and Friday but he should be
involved.' Carroll could be joined at St Mary's by January signing Emmanuel
Emenike, the Nigerian striker brought in on loan from Fenerbahce last
weekend. However, Emenike will train with his new team-mates for the first
time on Thursday, having only have arrived in England 24 hours before as he
awaited a work permit. 'We will see about him,' added Bilic. 'He is going
to train with us for the first time. He's naturally fit, but I would like to
see him.' Defender Angelo Ogbonna could also return to the squad after
missing the midweek win over Aston Villa with flu. Midfielder Manuel Lanzini
and striker Diafra Sakho are still recovering from thigh injuries but Bilic
expects them back in contention soon. 'They are still out but they will be
back in a couple of weeks, maximum, we hope,' he said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic prepared to give West Ham debut to striker Emmanuel Emenike at
Southampton
SLAVEN BILIC is ready to parade new January signing Emmanuel Emenike against
Southampton hoping to prove immediately that he is king of the bargain
hunters.
By MATTHEW DUNN
PUBLISHED: 11:28, Thu, Feb 4, 2016 | UPDATED: 11:45, Thu, Feb 4, 2016
Express.co.uk

Southampton's £4m man Charlie Austin was on the West Ham manager's radar in
the summer but for an agreed fee of £1m more than the England international,
Bilic has a four-month loan period to run his eye over a Fenerbahce player
as yet untested in England. To that end, Bilic is ready to throw the Nigeria
international straight into the mix in a new-look West Ham forward line on
Saturday. "He is going to train with us today for the first time," he said.
"He is naturally fit but I would like to see him. "He only arrived yesterday
in London because of the work permit issue and other stuff. He will train
with us and I will make a decision. "Furthermore, Andy Carroll is back
training with us since Monday. He was on the pitch for 10 days before that.
We are going to see him a later today and a little bit tomorrow but he
should be involved."
That is not to say Bilic is not wary of the impact Austin can have for the
visitors. "He is a great player," he said. "He is not one of those who has
just done it in the Championship and there is a bit of a question-mark
because Charlie scored many goals in the Premier League in the season that
QPR got relegated. "To get him that sort of money – and then have him score
the winner in his first game at Old Trafford – he should be a great buy. "I
was a little bit surprised he went for that money in England. He is
definitely a player with the quality to play for the West Ham and most teams
in the Premier League, but we had different targets. We have enough strikers
and were hoping for a different type of player."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ravel Morrison 'not in good condition' and rejected Deadline Day loan switch

London 24
11:13 04 February 2016
Brad Pinard

Former West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison has been criticised by Lazio
chiefs over his fitness and decision making. 0 The ex-Manchester United
academy starlet has failed to make much impact since joining the Serie A
club officially in the summer. After a troublesome spell at West Ham, the
clearly talented midfield man was hoping to thrive in Italy, but not yet up
to speed, Lazio may be losing patience. "He's not in good condition," Lazio
manager Stefano Pioli explained. "His adjustment period is over. He knows
what he has to do - and what not to do - to be called-up. The same goes for
him as all the others." Morrison was linked with a move back to England on
loan in January, but that never materialised and it now turns out the
23-year-old rejected the chance to get some game time with Serie B
strugglers Salernitana. "Morrison refused to join Salernitana and I cannot
force them to accept," Lazio President Claudio Lotito. "He is a player of
quality for Serie B, I'd say worthy of the Champions League. I tried to the
last moment of the transfer window, but was unable to convince them. "I had
also promised them some bonuses, but now they will stay at Lazio where they
don't play."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NEXT SUMMER IS CRUCIAL TO OUR ACHIEVING OUR LONG TERM AMBITIONS!
By S J Chandos 4 Feb 2016 at 08:00
WTID

I have to say that I was pleased with the club's business in the January
transfer window. We secured an excellent acquisition in Sam Byram. While the
loan deal for Emenike, could turn out to be an inspired. But if it does not
work out then we have not lost anything and can move on to other options in
the summer (that is the beauty of loan with a option to sign deals). This is
the way January transfer windows should be, no panic, and the luxury of
surveying the market for one or two acquisitions to keep the pot boiling. As
we know, successful clubs do their major business in the summer and, if they
do it correctly it relieves them of the desperate need to turn things around
in January.

Naturally, this coming summer is going to be a milestone in the long history
of West Ham Utd FC.The board will be take advantage of the monies arising
from the massive new TV deal to ensure that we inject that extra bit of top
notch class in to our very good first team squad. The debut season at the
Olympic Stadium will require it, as will the club's pursuit of its long-term
ambitions and the more immediate prospect of European football next season.
The club's transfer strategy over the last two or three campaigns has
revolutionized the Hammers squad. We now have far greater quality and
strength in depth. And we need to ensure that we secure both Lanzini and
Song on permanent deals to cement our recent progress as a club. Both are
key men and we must retain them..

Next season, we should be looking to secure three or four absolutely top
class players to take us even further forward. Firstly, we need a striker
that can score 20 goals a season on a consistent basis. That is easier said
than done, because such consistently prolific goal scorers are literally
worth their weight in gold. But we already know that this is the no.1
priority in the summer and that has been confirmed by the club. We will also
need a quality wide player to replace Victor Moses, who will probably return
to Chelsea when his loan expires, who can compete with Antonio and, ideally,
play on either flank. Again, we know that Tore is likely to be our top
target for this role. In my opinion the third major acquisition should be
good/high promising play-maker to compete/cover for Payet and Lanzini in
midfield (unless Samuelson or Cullen are ready to step up to that role?). I
believe that the defensive midfield roles will be more than adequately
covered with Song, Obiang, Noble, Poyet Oxford and Kouyate in the squad. So,
the major transfer emphasis will most probably be on attacking players and
improving our strength/options in the final third..

Elsewhere in the squad (i.e. the defence) it is about whether there is scope
to move on out one or two players and trade up on quality. Our goal keeping
stable looks in good shape, we have two excellent custodians, in Adrian and
Randolph, and two promising young understudies in Spiegel and Howes. The
exit of Joey O'Brien, in the summer, means that we might need another
right-back to cover/compete with Byram (possibly our fourth signing).
Hopefully, left-back is sorted with Cresswell, Hendrie and Page in the
squad. While at centre-half, we have the core quality provided by Reid and
Tomkins. But are there question marks over whether Collins will be traded up
and if Ogbonna is settled in English football? Of course, we have the luxury
of having three quality youngsters in Burke, Oxford and Henry and one would
hope that they will really make their presence felt next season. Ideally,
they will, with Burke maybe replacing Collins (if his experience is not an
asset to be retained for another campaign?) and Oxford getting the chance to
play in his favoured centre-back role. But what if Ogbonna wants to return
to Italian football (in accordance with recent rumours) would Bilic bring in
a ready-made, top-class, replacement or retain Collins and/or put his faith
in the youngsters?

We are approaching the crucial 'endgame' of what could/should be a very
successful season. Hopefully we can progress in the FA Cup and make a
concerted effort to finish in, or as near as possible to, that magic fourth
position. Champions League qualification is still very much a possibility
and Bilic's understated approach of taking one match at a time is
undoubtedly correct. But to finish as high as possible we need to start
matches strongly and play well for 90 minutes. If we have shown a weakness
this season it is that we sometimes start games too slowly. We have got
anyway with that a few times this season, but on one or two occasions (i.e.
Newcastle Utd away) we have 'come unstuck.' We certainly started badly
against Villa but any danger was averted by Villa's early red card and some
great play by Noble/Antonio and Valencia/Kouyate. It is an issue of which
Slaven Bilic must surely look to resolve going forward.

Anyway, I can imagine some fans will ask why I am focusing on next summer
when the January transfer window has only just shut and there is so much to
play for in the remainder of this exciting campaign. Well, the answer is
that supporters may not want to think about it now (which is understandable
in a way), but the best club's always look ahead and ensure that their
planning, in terms of acquiring their prime targets, is well ahead of the
pack. That is crucial for West Ham because our success in the transfer
market over the last couple of seasons will have been noted by rival PL
clubs and you can be sure that they will be watching us very closely in
future. Whereas previously there has not been intense competition for the
likes of Kouyate, Lanzini and Payet, that is unlikely to be the case next
summer. There is the danger that rival clubs will be monitoring our transfer
moves and actively looking to guzump us. Also crucially, while we will have
increased transfer funds, thanks to the new TV deal, so will the other PL
clubs. That is why we need (as far as modern media/social media and agent
machinations allow) to keep our cards close to our chest and try to
progress/tie up prospective deals at the earliest possible opportunity.

This season has shown how increased resources in the English game has
enabled more clubs to acquire better class players and close the gap with
the established PL elite. West Ham have been one of the principle
beneficiaries of this positive development and, of course, we all want that
to continue to be the case. I have no doubt that the combination of Bilic
and Tony Henry's identification of player targets, David Sullivan's
industry/shrewdness in transfer negotiations, the recent marked progress of
the club and the Olympic Stadium factor will all conspire to maintain the
club's momentum in this crucial respect.

SJ. Chandos.

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Enner Valencia strop will test Slaven Bilic's famous man management skills
HITC
Damien Lucas

West Ham United striker Enner Valencia threw an almighty strop which will
test his manager ahead of crucial games against Southampton and Liverpool.
The jet-heeled striker had endured a difficult night in the 2-0 win over
Aston Villa last time out as the visitors sat back following the early
sending off of star man Jordan Ayew at Upton Park. With very little space to
operate in the Ecuadorian struggled to get a sight of goal. When he did have
a chance he actually stopped what looked a certain goal from James Tomkins
by blazing his goalbound effort over the bar from close range. Valencia has
been in good form recently scoring a brace against both Bournemouth and
Manchester City and picking up a number of assists. And he added another
assist to his tally when he broke away at lightning speed from a late Villa
corner to set up midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate for the decisive second goal on
83 minutes.

Childish but passionate

But when he was sensibly substituted moments later Valencia showed his
displeasure, gesturing, throwing his hands up in the air and shaking his
head towards the bench. He blanked Bilic's outstretched hand as he stormed
towards his seat on the bench and ignored the manager as he tried to call
after him to shake his hand properly before throwing his gloves to the floor
in a prolonged sulk. The strop was childish and took the gloss off a very
good win for those who witnessed it. And it was also disrespectful to the
player waiting to replace him. However it at least shows Valencia's passion
to play for the Hammers and that he wanted to stay on the pitch and try to
get his goal. But the £12 million star should have taken it in the spirit it
was intended which was to save him for the important games coming up.

Selection headache looming?

One thing it will do is test Bilic's famous man management skills ahead of
crucial games at Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday and at home
to Liverpool in the FA Cup replay next Tuesday. With new signing Emmanuel
Emenike available after signing on loan from Fenerbache and Andy Carroll fit
again to take his place on the bench at St Mary's Valencia's place could be
under pressure. Fast forward to Tuesday and the Hammers could even welcome
back the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Diafra Sakho to give Bilic a real
selection headache going forward.

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Emenike: I'm not arrogant
Posted By: Samson Otion: February 04, 2016In: SportsNo Comments Print Email
nationonlineng.net

West Ham new signing, Emmanuel Emenike has responded to the report claiming
he was a trouble maker in some of the clubs he has played as he was sacked
by Al Ain of United Arabs Emirates.
"The truth is that I don't give attention to critics, I prefer to hang out
with my friends than opening my phone and be reading what somebody is
writing about me. Such person can't add values to my life so why giving him
attention? "For those who think I am arrogant, it will be difficult to tell
them I am not because it is their mindset and sincerely, it can't add
anything to me. I only need God not critics and he's been wonderful to me up
to this extent. For my family, they know I am not arrogant, for my friends
they know I am not and I will not let that get into my head and become one."
"I learnt to ignore critics from a reputable Africa legend in Samuel Eto'o.
The most decorated African player, scoring goals and winning trophies yet,
he was booed, insulted and disrespected both home and away but he's far
better than those criticizing him. As for me, I am better than my critics.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that Emenike hanged on a whopping $7.5m annual
deal in China to sign for West Ham and the club may resume their interest in
the summer. "He wanted to play for West Ham because there was a huge deal
for him in China, a deal that can make him the highest paid in Africa but I
think the club comeback for him if he plays better and scores goals for West
Ham.," said the source
In confirming the report, Emenike refused to speak on the aborted deal but
is looking forward to his debut.

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NIGERIA/ EGYPT AFCON 2017 QUALIFIER: Moses returns to Eagles 0
BY OUR REPORTER ON FEBRUARY 4, 2016 SPORTS
BY GEORGE ALUO
sunnewsonline.com

EVERYTHING now points to West Ham striker Victor Moses staging a return to
the Super Eagles and play­ing for the very first time under Sun­day Oliseh
when Nigeria face Egypt in next month's AFCON 2017 qualifier. Hint to this
effect was dropped yes­terday by Oliseh who said the Edo-state born forward
is in his plans ahead of the crucial game. The 25-year-old had scored seven
times in 24 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his international
debut in 2012. According to Goal.com, Oliseh said the former England youth
international could be handed a call-up when he rolls out his squad for the
match later this month. "Yes, Victor Moses is still in our plan. All the
players who are eligible to play for us are still in our plans aside those
who have retired from the nation­al team," Oliseh stated. The Eagles gaffer
was however, quick in adding: "The truth is that I will put a 'but' to it at
the moment. This team started with the game against Tanzania and is
evolving. We have played 14 games since I took charge of the team and we
lost our first official game against Guinea at the African Nations
Championship. We have like seven or eight players from the CHAN team that
are good enough to play for the main Super Eagles. It's good when you have a
large pool of players to pick from, so everyone will have to fight for a
place in the team."
Nigeria is second behind the Pha­raohs in Group G's qualifying zone with
four points from two games, and the Eagles must defeat the north Afri­cans
in March to qualify automatically for the championship billed for Gabon.

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Slaven Bilic provides Andy Carroll fitness update with eye on Southampton
clash
London 24
06:35 04 February 2016
Pete Evans

Boss Slaven Bilic can add new signing Emmanuel Emenike to his squad when
they head to Southampton on Saturday, as well as welcoming back fellow
striker Andy Carroll from injury. 1 Issues following Emenike's arrival from
Turkey meant he could not be involved in their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on
Tuesday night while that Premier League clash came too soon for former
Newcastle striker Carroll. Carroll limped out of the 3-1 away win at
Bournemouth earlier this month but has returned to training and Bilic
revealed he should be in the matchday squad against the Saints. "Andy
started to train with us on Monday, and he should be in the squad for
Southampton if everything goes well," he said. West Ham remain in the hunt
for a European place and are just a point behind Manchester United in fifth
going into the weekend.

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Karren Brady celebrates two major West Ham stadium milestones on Twitter
HITC
Damien Lucas

Work to transform the Olympic Stadium into West Ham United's new home truly
got under way this week. The Hammers will leave their beloved Boleyn Ground
home of 112 years for the 54,000 seater stadium in Stratford this summer.
Until now the club's fans have only had artists' impressions of how the
stadium will look once it has been transformed to go on. But with the move
just over three months away, the first true signs of West Ham-ification has
started.

'It's happening!'

Hammers chief executive executive Karren Brady has taken to Twitter to
announce that West Ham's claret and blue seating is on its way after a
section of the old ones were removed to form the club's name and emblem
across the main stand. "Exciting! It's happening the new West Ham seats
(are) going into our stadium, as well as a new pitch," Brady posted on
Twitter.
According to the club's official website, containers holding the first batch
of seats off production are being shipped to Stratford, with the blue seats
set to follow in the coming weeks.

Just the first step

The seats are just the first step towards making the Olympic Stadium West
Ham's new home. The Champions statue currently situated outside Upton Park
will be relocated to the new ground while the John Lyall Gates will be moved
inside the club shop at the Olympic Park. A huge digital wrap will go around
the entire stadium on the outside turning it into one giant TV screen while
inside at either end there will be two of the biggest TVs in the world,
measuring in at over 27 metres each. Branding around the ground will also be
in claret and blue as are the changing rooms and the club's new pitch will
be a Desso GrassMaster which is a mix of artificial and natural grass and
have been used in various guises at Upton Park since 2002.
London Mayor Boris Johnson says the move to the Olympic Stadium makes West
Ham the 'biggest project of their kind in Europe' and has backed them to
change the face of London when they move.

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Mauro Zarate celebrates scoring stunning winner, says West Ham a mistake
HITC
Dan Coombs

Mauro Zarate is putting his spell at West Ham behind him. Mauro Zarate is
putting his West Ham spell quickly behind him, proving an instant success
with Fiorentina. The Argentina sealed a permanent move away from Upton Park
late in the transfer window, and is looking a shrewd signing for the Serie A
side. He scored a superb winner last night in their win over Carpi,
collecting the ball on the edge of the box, jinking past an opponent, before
curling it across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. It was a goal
worthy of winning any game, and may have West Ham supporters wondering if
they made a mistake letting him leave, and especially so cheaply. Zarate
however is not looking back, and believes he should never have joined the
Hammers in the first place, admitting he moved there because of the money he
was offered. He was quoted by Football Italia, speaking to Sky Italia: "I
decided to help a team that was challenging for important targets. "West Ham
was a mistake and I didn't think it through. The Premier League is fun and
obviously the wages are very different, so that swayed my decision at the
time. "We won and must continue like this. The team has important players
and we have to prove our worth." Zarate clearly has talent but lacked
consistency at West Ham, and his post game comments last night suggest
perhaps his heart was never really in it.

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