Daily WHUFC News - 11th October 2016

Randolph helps Ireland secure another victory
WHUFC.com

Randolp helps Ireland maintain unbeaten run with a 3-1 win over Moldova
Collins is unused sub for Wales during their 1-1 draw with Georgia
Kouyate helps Senegal record opening 2-0 win over Cape Verde

Darren Randolph helped the Republic of Ireland maintain their unbeaten start
to 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying with a 3-1 away win over Moldova. The West
Ham keeper played his part in helping Martin O'Neill's side make it seven
points from their opening three games and put them in a strong position just
behind Serbia in Group D. Shane Long fired Ireland into the lead after just
two minutes and although Moldova grabbed an equaliser, two goals from James
McLean helped them come away with another important victory. Randolph will
now be hoping they can extend their unbeaten run when they prepare for the
next World Cup qualifier which takes place against Austria on 12 November.
James Collins was an unused substitute as Wales suffered a setback in their
qualifying campaign as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Georgia at the
Cardiff City Stadium. Fellow Hammers defender Angelo Ogbonna was also an
unused sub as Italy had to come from behind to secure a 3-2 away win over
Macedonia in Group G. There was better news for West Ham midfielder Cheikhou
Kouyate as he helped Senegal record a 2-0 victory over Cape Verde in their
opening World Cup qualifier. Sofiane Feghouli appeared as a second half
substitute for Algeria as they drew 1-1 with Cameroon in their opening game.

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Loan round up
WHUFC.com

Only one Hammer on loan was in action over the weekend due to the
international break
George Dobson helped Walsall to a 2-1 victory over Millwall
Meanwhile, Josh Pask was an unused substitute for Gillingham as they were
beaten by Oldham Athletic

With the top two tiers out of action due to the international break, it was
a much quieter weekend for the Hammers out on loan, with only one of them in
action. George Dobson – on loan at League One outfit Walsall this term –
played as the Saddlers secured a vital 2-1 victory over Millwall to climb
out the drop zone in England's third tier. As the midfielder started and
completed 83 minutes at the Banks's Stadium, the hosts took the lead after
17 minutes when Simeon Jackson – the former Lions forward – struck his fifth
of the season after Franck Moussa's knock-down. The visitors, hoping to
avoid a fourth-straight defeat, were back on level terms five minutes later;
Fred Onyedinma nodded home a Mahlon Romeo cross from six yards out. Shortly
after the break though, the hosts regained the lead when the same pair
combined. Jackson was denied by goalkeeper Jordan Archer, and Moussa slammed
home the hosts' second to make it 2-1. Steve Morison and Lee Gregory went
close for Neil Harris' side, but Dobson and co held out to move up to 16th
in League One.

Elsewhere in the division, Josh Pask was an unused substitute for Gillingham
as they slipped to defeat against Oldham. Cody McDonald gave the Gills a
first half lead, but second half strikes from Freddie Ladapo and Ryan Flynn
meant Oldham travelled back up north with three points in the bag.

Bradford City continued their excellent form to remain second in the league,
beating Fleetwood Town 2-0, though the Bantams were without Hammers
midfielder Josh Cullen. Away with the Republic of Ireland U21s, Cullen
played for the Boys in Green in their 3-1 UEFA European U21 Championship
qualifying defeat to Serbia.

Doneil Henry, who made his AC Horsens debut last week, was also away on
international duty and helped Canada to a 4-0 win against Mauritania.

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Youth international round up
WHUFC.com

A number of West Ham United youth players made appearances for their
international side this weekend
Malyk Hamilton scored his first goal for Canada U18s in their draw with El
Salvador
Rihards Matrevics played twice for Latvia U19s and is set to make a third
appearance on Tuesday

A number of young West Ham United players have represented their youth
international sides across the world during this international break. Malyk
Hamilton scored on just his second start for Canada U18s as they levelled
their two match international series with El Salvador. Canada drew the first
match 1-1 in San Salvador, thanks to a late Alan Camacho equaliser, and were
cancelled out by the same opponents in the second match. Camacho scored
again to level proceedings before Hamilton equalised with the first goal for
his country in the second half to ensure a share of the spoils for Canada.

Goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics has had a packed schedule, appearning twice in
three days for Latvia U19s, and he's set to make his third appearance of
this international break on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old was in goal as Latvia drew 2-2 with Turkey on Thursday and
lost 3-0 to Ukraine on Saturday. He'll aim to keep his place for the
encounter with Iceland this week.

Josh Cullen played the full 90 minutes for the Republic of Ireland U21s on
Friday as they lost 3-1 to Serbia. Everton's Courtney Duffus gave them the
lead in the second half before Serbia - the World U20 champions last year -
scored three times to clinch the victory.

Elsewhere, Domingos Quina came off the bench as Portugal U19s beat Italy 2-1
on Sunday in Marinha Grande. Vrioni Giacomo gave Italy the lead in the
first-half before the Portuguese struck back through Pedro Marques and
Gedson Fernandes to take the win.

Martin Samuelsen was an unused substitute for the Norway senior side, as
they were beaten 1-0 by Azerbaijan on Saturday. The 19-year-old will hope to
make his first appearance of this international break against San Marino on
Tuesday.

Declan Rice was also an unusued substitute as Republic of Ireland's Under
19s thrashed Gibraltar 5-0 on Saturday. They face Germany on Tuesday.

Doneil Henry, who made his AC Horsens debut last week, was also away on
international duty and helped Canada to a 4-0 win against Mauritania.

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Stoke City ballot now open
WHUFC.com

The Claret Members' ticket ballot for West Ham United's Premier League
fixture with Stoke City at London Stadium is now open. Claret Members can
enter the ballot to secure tickets for the visit of the Potters, which will
kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 5 November, between now and the closing date of
5pm on Sunday 23 October. To enter, Claret Members are required to login to
their Ticketmaster account here, select the fixture and add to basket. Fans
wishing to apply with other Claret Members should include all client
reference numbers in the one transaction, and, if successful, will be seated
together. By becoming a Claret Member, supporters not only ensure access to
the ballot, but will be guaranteed exclusive ticket priority for every
Premier League home game during the first season at our stunning new
Stadium. With 52,000 plus Season Ticket Holders, an even greater number on
the waiting list and thousands of Claret Members already registered, Claret
Membership is your access to home match tickets in this unique season.
Membership is priced at just £40 for Adults and £25 for Under-16s, with
supporters already on the Season Ticket Waiting List eligible for a £5
discount. Similarly, Claret Members can also join the Season Ticket Waiting
List for the reduced price of just £5. Supporters entering the ballot have
the option of selecting up to a maximum of two price points. If you are
happy to accept any price band, and thereby increasing the likelihood of
being successful, kindly select your preferred area of the Stadium and leave
the second option blank.

The ballot closes at 5pm on Sunday 23 October and successful supporters will
be notified via email on Monday 24 October. Hospitality packages for this
fixture are available to buy now from £349 +VAT per person. For further
information and to purchase, email corporatesales@westhamunited.co.uk or
call 0871 091 1811*.

*Calls cost 13p/min plus your networks access charge.

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Foundation celebrating heart-warming success
WHUFC.com

Avid footballer Jodie Coombes reconnected with her family after appearing on
Match of the Day, alongside Hammers heroes Adrian and Michail Antonio
The Foundation-backed Street Soccer programme uses football to help improve
social skills and job prospects
Jodie has been invited to train with the Ladies' Development Squad, and will
also compete in the 2016 Homeless World Cup in Glasgow this July

The West Ham United Foundation recently celebrated the spectacular the news
that one of its Street Soccer Foundation participants has reconnected with
her family. Jodie Coombes, 20, had been homeless after falling out with her
Mum and Dad when she was 15, however, the since talented footballer appeared
in an episode of the BBC's Match of the Day, the family's relationship has
greatly improved. The good news continued as Jodie has now been invited to
represent her country in the 2016 Homeless World Cup in Glasgow in July.

The heart-warming story came largely as a result of Jodie's participation
with the Street Soccer Foundation which has dramatically transformed the
young footballer's life, a scheme that has been heavily backed by the West
Ham United Foundation.
Reflecting on the life-changing experience, Jodie said: "I first heard about
Street Soccer through Torchlight. I met with them, talked through the
details and soon started going to the sessions. "I still participate now.
The season just finished went really well, I've really enjoyed every minute
of it to be honest. The whole experience, the new skills and the new people
I've met have all been amazing. "After I'd left home, my parents did stay in
contact, but now I'm living independently we're all trying to rebuild that
relationship, and it's a got a lot better. We're getting on really good."

In April, first team stars Adrian and Michail Antonio visited the
Foundation's base at Beckton to show their support and raise awareness for
the campaign. There that day, among other budding footballers was Jodie,
whose talent has shone through during the training sessions. She continued:
"Meeting Adrian and Michail was a dream to come true, I met them and I was
really, really over the moon, I was speechless! "They gave loads of tips,
and encouraged us to keep on going with what we're doing. "I was quite
nervous to be honest. The whole experience of being on Match of the Day was
a dream come true, it was really amazing."

After coaching a Street Soccer session Hammers hero Michail Antonio had
nothing but praise for the scheme, and the participants: "It's a great
achievement what they've managed to do so far and these kids definitely look
up and are inspired by players like us. "Showing our support hopefully gives
them more of a drive and gives them that self-belief. "It's not easy to get
the right opportunities in life but as long as you're determined and willing
to push yourself, it can be done." West Ham United Foundation
chief-executive Joe Lyons echoed Antonio's sentiments saying: "This is a
fantastic example of how the work we're carrying out is a real long-term
journey for our participants. "Jodie's story is quite remarkable and it just
shows that the right kind of intervention can help change young people's
lives! To go from being homeless to representing England in a football
tournament, just shows local young people that anything is possible."

The budding footballer finished by recalling the moment she was called up to
represent England, beaming: "When I got the phone call to say I was in the
squad, I was speechless, I was just so happy. I've waited so long for a
chance like this, now it has, I just have to keep at it. "Projects like
Street Soccer are so important, they really help people in situations like
myself; it really helps to give people a chance to show what they can do, I
think they do a great job."

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#WHUAREYA - Ben Johnson
WHUFC.com

As Dimitri Payet curled home his fourth direct free-kick of the campaign at
Manchester United last season, there would have been no shortage of
youngsters attempting to replicate the stunner in back gardens all over the
country. For 16-year-old midfielder Ben Johnson, it was slightly different;
he was doing his best to imitate Payet's feats on the training pitches the
Frenchman also graces. "He's an amazing player," says Johnson, in admiration
of the superstar. "It's great to watch him play. I think out of the West Ham
first team squad, he's the player I'm most like. I like him a lot. "His set
pieces are incredible, and I like to think I hit a good set piece too. I
just love watching creative players like Payet. Mesut Ozil also, and
obviously Lionel Messi. They're all fantastic footballers and I try to be
like them on the pitch."

Johnson sees himself as an attacking talent who can "pass quickly, dribble
well, hit a good shot and drive from deep". Those attributes, of course, are
plain to see in Payet's all-round game. As for this season, the 29-year-old
will be hoping to continue his excellent form that helped France reach the
UEFA Euro 2016 final. Johnson hopes a similarly positive campaign is in
store for him. "I want to play a lot of U23s football this season if I can –
that's got to be one of my aims," he continues. "I want to train regularly
with them, and then if I get the chance, to train with the first team maybe
a few times. "I need to try my hardest in training and work my way up. I've
been at the Club nine years now, and every session, every week, the
relationship between me and the Club gets bigger, I feel. "I really love the
Club a lot and I think I can go far here."

While the youngster has begun the season with the U18 squad, he also enjoyed
time with the Hammers' PL2 side during pre-season in Holland this summer.
"It was a great trip, because we built that team spirit that can serve you
well if you take it onto the pitch. If you have a good connection off the
pitch, it's often the same on it and that is a key to success in my opinion.
"We chilled out a lot, played some FIFA and had a laugh – it was a great
trip for us to bond."

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Dimi sets up France winner
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet's France clinched a 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over
the Netherlands on Monday
The Hammers midfielder set up the game's only goal
Reece Oxford was also in action as England U20s beat the USA 2-0

Dimitri Payet set up the only goal of the game as his France side picked up
a second win of the international break over the Netherlands on Monday
evening.
The Hammers midfielder started and completed 67 minutes for Didier
Deschamps' side, who followed up last week's 4-1 victory over Bulgaria with
the narrow win in Amsterdam. The game's only goal was scored after just half
an hour when Manchester United's summer signing Paul Pogba rocketed a long
range effort into the bottom corner following Payet's pass in-field. The
visitors moved up to joint top of their Russia 2018 qualifying group, level
on points at the summit of Group A with Sweden. The clash was Payet's 30th
in the blue of his national side.

Teenage prospect Reece Oxford was also in international action on Monday, as
his England U20s outfit were 2-0 winners over the USA at Rochdale's
Spotland.
Competing in the Four Nations competition which the Young Lions had already
clinched following wins over Germany and the Netherlands, the hosts rounded
off an impressive tournament with the comfortable victory. Ovie Ejaria and
Dominic Solanke were on the scoresheet for England in a game which Oxford
started. The defender was making his third appearance for his country at U20
level.

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Fans group hold inaugural rally
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

The first meeting of a new West Ham United supporters organisation was held
on Saturday afternoon. Staged at the West Ham United Supporters' Club in
Castle Street, opposite the club's former Boleyn Ground home, the first
meeting of a proposed, independent organisation aimed at representing the
supporters' interests was held. A spokesman for the group, who are yet to
give themselves an official title told KUMB: "It was a pleasure to meet
everyone that made an effort to turn up. A number of good ideas on how to
move forward together and see where it takes us were put forward." Meanwhile
another fan who attended insisted it was inportant for supporters to have
their own voice, independent of the club's own fan groups such as the
much-maligned SUpporter Advisory Board (SAB). "What became clear from the
meeting is that it is nigh on impossible to engage with WHUFC PLC on any
issue whatsoever," they said. "We are not being heard no matter what route
you take, its as simple as that. "A supporters' trust itself is the ultimate
goal and something that others are already working hard on. These guys know
what they are talking about but quite frankly they cannot do it on their
own, they need foot soldiers - so the more people on board the merrier."

Anyone interest in becoming involved with the new organisation are welcome
to attend the next meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday, 22 October
(ahead of the home match with Sunderland).

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Light at the end of tunnel, says Cresswell
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Aaron Cresswell says he can't wait to become involved in first team action
once again having spent the last three months on the sidelines. The
26-year-old full-back is set to make his return from injury this weekend
when Slaven Bilic takes his side across the city to Crystal Palace. And
Cresswell is looking forward to making his first Premier League appearance
of the season - should he secure a first team spot for the fixture, as is
widely expected. "This is the first big injury I have suffered during my
career," he told West Ham's website. "Hopefully I will be able to get over
this little setback and stay injury free for a long time. "I was stuck in a
knee brace for four to six weeks and it was hard to get the knee bending. I
could only bend it so much and it was difficult for me just to get out of
bed and walk down the stairs. "There was some dark days during that time but
I can now see some light at the end of the tunnel."
And Cresswell - who moved to West Ham from Ipswich in the summer of 2014 -
also revealed how additional nursing duties for his wife went a long way to
aiding his recovery! "The missus was great to me during that time," he
added, "and it felt like I had a little bell by the side of the couch that I
kept pressing every time I wanted something! "It was little things from
wanting a cup of tie or getting the food on, but she was fantastic during
that period and helped me through it as well when I couldn't walk or get
down the stairs."

West Ham face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Saturday.

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Zaza linked with Serie A return
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

On-loan striker Simone Zaza is being linked with a return to Italy - just a
matter of weeks after joining West Ham on loan. Having already lost star
striker Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus in the summer, Serie A outfit Napoli are
back in the transfer market following the news that the Argentine
international's replacement, Arkadiusz Milik, has been ruled out of action
until the new year. And with Zaza's future at West Ham already uncertain
following a slow start to his Premier League career - which has seen him
failed to find the net since moving to England - Napoli are said to be
taking keen interest in the 25-year-old. However Zaza - who is currently on
loan at West Ham - has a number of potential rivals for the role. Leonardo
Pavoletti of Genoa - who was linked with Leeds United last year - and
Sassuolo's Gregoire Defrel have also been linked with a move to Gli Azzurri
who are currently second in Serie A, four points behind early leaders
Juventus.

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Kanu snubs Uniteds and makes history
KUMb.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Talented youngster Idris Kanu has finally left West Ham - for National
League outfit Aldershot Town. The highly-rated 16-year-old began his career
at West Ham, for whom he has featured since the age of 11. And only last
month he appeared to be close to securing a move to Manchester United after
spending a brief spell on loan with the club at their Carrington training
complex. However the striker has surprised many by snubbing both Uniteds in
favour of the fifth-tier non-league club, who are currently sixth in the
National League, 15 games into the campaign. "We're fortunate to have signed
a very talented player," said Shots boss Gary Waddock via his club's
website. "We need to make sure that we help him to realise his potential but
we are planning for the future." Kanu made 17 appearances for West Ham
United's Under 18s last season, scoring two goals. He made his debut for
Aldershot as an 86th-minute substitute in their 2-0 win over Solihull Moors
on Saturday.

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Randy on a roll as Dimi delights
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Michail Antonio was an unused substitute for the second game in succession
as England beat Malta in their latest Qorld Cup qualifer at Wembley. The
West Ham winger was selected for the second England squad in succession but
was left on the bench by temporary boss Gareth Southgate as the hosts
managed to beat the minnows 2-0 at Wembley. Dimitri Payet was on the
scoresheet for France as the Euro 16 hosts ran out 4-1 winners over
Bul;garia, despite falling a goal behind early on. West Ham's midfielder
scored the second of three French first half goals when his far post cross
evaded everyone before nestling in tthe bottom of the net - as you may see
in our video below. Elsewhere James Collins was an unused substitute as
Wales struggled to a 1-1 draw at home to Georgia, whilst Darren Randolph was
part of the Republic of Ireland team that secured a vital 3-1 World Cup
qualifying win in Moldova last night.

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Enner fires back in paternity row
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 10th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Enner Valencia has hit back at critics who accused him of failing to stay up
to date with maintenence payments for his daughter. Last week we revealed
how the Hammers striker, currently on loan at Everton made a comical escape
from the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa by allegedly faking injury in order to
avoid the attention of watching Police officers. And having receiving
widespread condemation for his antics, Valencia has fired back to clear up
any misconceptions regarding his disappearance last week - whilst accusing
ex-wife Synthia Pinargote of seeking personal financial gain. "According to
what has happened in the last few days and regarind the supposed
non-fulfilment of my obligations as a father to my five-year old daughter
Beira, I feel obliged to explain the truth of these matters to honour my
family as well as my personal and professional image," he said in a
statement relased via twitter. "I am currently facing several lawsuits
initiated by Sinthyia Pinargote Chumo, which I perceive are aimed
exclusively on matters of economic and personal gain, such as the demand for
maintenance, presented in 2015, where I set the amount of 30,000 dollars a
month as alimony. "Within the last two years, despite spending a sum
estimated to be 100,000 US dollars, for pensions of food, which can be
verified on the website of the judiciary, she has prevented me strengthening
my relationship with my daughter, because her mother prevents me from
exercising any contact on my visits when I am in Ecuador. "After thinking
all this through with my family, I decided to take legal action and ask for
my daughter's custody. It is my intention to bring my daughter Beira to live
and study in the UK, where I am based at the moment, so she can grow up
within a stable family environment. "In December 2015 my demand was accepted
by the court and my daughter's custody was granted; the judge also ordered
the immediate suspension of all alimony ppayments to Mrs Sinthya
Pinargorte."
Valencia also hit out at his former partner for spending his monthly
payments, that were intended for his daughter, on material items for
herself. "Among other facts, it was proven that she bought a luxury car,
jewelllery, constatnt travels as well as the fact that my daughter was left
abandoned, several times, on her own for long periods whilst her mother was
performing her modelling and stripper activities at a gentlemen's night club
in Guayaquil," he added."

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Cancer patient Jack Howard thanks West Ham in touching video after £200,000
is raised for treatment
15:57, 10 OCT 2016 UPDATED 15:57, 10 OCT 2016
BY JAKE POLDEN
The 12-year-old also thanked his friends and family for their continued
support
The Mirror

Young cancer patient and West Ham supporter Jack Howard thanked his family,
friends and his club in a heart-warming video. The 12-year-old, who
underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had his kidney removed in 2013, is
currently battling kidney cancer for a second time. The treatment he has had
in the UK has failed and his family are now raising money so that Jack, who
is in an LA hospital, can have pioneering treatment. His family are hoping
to raise £250,000 and have so far accumulated £200,000. The youngster took
to social media, in the above video, to thank his family and friends for
their continued support. He also thanked the fans of his football club West
Ham as well as the people behind the scenes there. The east London club
donated £5,000 towards Jack's cause, which Hammers co-chairman David
Sullivan matched personally to help boost the figure. The fundraising effort
is being made via a Crowdfunder page, where the football community and
beyond have made donations. Jack recently received a Facetime call from star
players Dimitri Payet and Sam Byram . In the touching clip, Payet tells the
youngster: "We wish you a good recovery and we hope to see you soon in
London Stadium."

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West Ham's board must forget the corporate jargon and take responsibility
for what is THEIRS
20:30, 10 OCT 2016
OPINION Mike Walters BY MIKEWALTERS
The Hammers move from Upton Park to the Taxpayers Stadium has come with far
more than teething troubles - and the corporate speak has far from helped
The Mirror

Poor old Karren Brady must be suffering from double vision in her two
highest-profile jobs. As Lord Sugar's pouting sidekick on The Apprentice,
she watches from a safe distance in the background as a bunch of clueless
pretenders botch perfectly simple tasks in London. And as West Ham's
vice-chairman, the Duchess of Knightsbridge also watches from a safe
distance, in the directors' box, as another bunch of ­clueless pretenders
botch perfectly simple tasks in London. But for Brady and Hammers
co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan, the acid test is coming up. Later
this month, when Chelsea come calling at the Taxpayers Stadium for a League
Cup fourth round tie with more than 5,000 fans in their entourage, football
will hold its breath. West Ham have not just had teething troubles with
crowd behaviour since they became anchor tenants at their new home. They
have needed root canal treatment.
Fans have been refusing to sit down, fighting each other and visiting
supporters were ambushed by their coaches after the 1-1 draw with
Middlesbrough 10 days ago. To date, on matchdays there has been no visible
police ­presence inside the ground because it is not equipped with the
Airwave radio system used by emergency services. It has been left to stadium
operators London Stadium 185 – who were alerted to the radio frequency
problem by Metropolitan Police two years ago – to manage in-house security.
Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me to The Moon, said: "I just do not
understand how West Ham got a licence to play games there when they are not
being policed ­properly. "It's incredible that, in this day and age, a
Premier League match can take place in an environment like that." Ticket
allocations and safety arrangements for Chelsea's visit, by far the biggest
trial of football at the converted London 2012 Olympic cathedral, will be
finalised this week. Although it is unthinkable that a fixture of such
tinderbox potential can be played with no police inside the ground, this is
not a case of West Ham putting a few quid before public safety. It is
stadium owners E20 who are responsible for paying the police bills and the
stewards have been given extra training since the post-match disturbances
against Boro. But it doesn't really matter who pays the bill for the old
bill.
In theory, West Ham could certainly afford it after contributing just £15m
towards the £272m cost of adapting the stadium and they are being charged
only £2.5m-a-year to rent it. Under the terms of their 99-year lease,
however, they do not have to pay for policing, stewarding, heating,
lighting, cleaners or turnstile operators. They don't even have to pay for
the goalposts after successfully arguing that you would not be expected to
rent a tennis court with no net supplied.
But some things are more important than arguing about who picks up the tab
for police costs at a cup tie. This task is not about auditioning to become
Lord Sugar's business partner by flogging tat down at Camden Market. It is
about organising a potentially combustible derby with watertight segregation
inside the ground and taking responsibility for crowd control on the
concourses and walkways around it. Decent fans who venture across the Queen
Elizabeth II Olympic Park on October 26 won't care two whelks who settles
the account with Scotland Yard. They would just prefer it if they didn't
have to navigate skirmishes between Danny Dyer tribute acts and Football
Factory retro-pond life when they go to watch a football match.

Gold, Sullivan and Brady's business acumen is not on trial here. Anyone who
can strike a deal to rent the Taxpayers Stadium for buttons, with the
landlords settling all the household bills, is clearly a formidable
negotiator. But there was trouble at West Ham's home games with Watford and
Boro, which should have been low-risk Category Z fixtures, and the honeymoon
period for buck-passing has expired The Two Daves and Her Ladyship believe
moving to a new home, with the lowest season ticket prices in the Premier
League and almost double the capacity of Upton Park, will hasten the
Hammers' entry to English football's elite.
As a business plan, that's fair enough. But remember, they are YOUR fans,
it's YOUR club's reputation, it's YOUR safety licence. Or, in the corporate
jargon in which Lady Brady is so fluent, it's YOUR culture and it's YOUR
brand.

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Aaron Cresswell surprised by West Ham's poor start - but backs Slaven
Bilic's side to recover
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

Aaron Cresswell has been surprised by West Ham's poor start to the season
but the full back expects Slaven Bilic's side to begin climbing the Premier
League table after the international break. The Hammers finished seventh
last term and rode a wave of optimism into their new home at the London
Stadium in the early weeks of this season. But such a positive outlook has
stuttered in recent weeks as results have been poor, leaving the east
Londoners languishing in the relegation zone with just four points to their
name after seven games.
Cresswell is yet to feature this season, having suffered a serious knee
injury during pre-season, and has admitted he did not foresee his teammates
making such a sluggish start. "Yes it has [surprised me]. Even in pre-season
we didn't have good results in the Europa League," Cresswell told the club's
official website. "But we still have a strong squad, the same team and the
same manager. No one expected it to be like this. "Everyone thought we were
going to be - not challenging for the title - but certainly up there and
having a right good go. "It's still early doors but we want to try and turn
it round and get further up that table," he added. Cresswell is ahead of
schedule in regards to his personal fitness battle and could be available
for West Ham's next league match against Crystal Palace. Yet injury problems
for a number of key players have clearly played a part in the club's
disappointing run of results and Cresswell is adamant a fully fit squad -
plus the return of a fighting spirit - will help to lead West Ham out of the
mire. "We've still got the same players and we've added some fantastic
players," he insisted. "Once everybody is fit the gaffer will have a
headache picking the starting XI but I'm sure he will welcome that. "We need
that team spirit back, fighting for each other, winning games. "The spirit
hasn't changed - the lads are still tight as ever - but it just hasn't
happened on the pitch. "When we get that fighting spirit back with us all -
and the fans - I'm sure we're going to push further up that table."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham need to stick together and ride out the storm after poor start to
the season, insists Julian Dicks
SAM LONG
EVENING STANDARD

Julian Dicks has urged West Ham to pull together in order to "ride out the
storm" that has engulfed the club in recent weeks. The Hammers moved into
their new home amid an overwhelming feeling of optimism but have endured a
difficult start to life at the London Stadium. Slaven Bilic's side have won
just one Premier League game this season and are currently languishing in
the relegation zone with four points to their name. Such a poor start has
seen frustration grow among the West Ham fanbase, many of whom expected
their side to challenge for a place in the top four, but assistant coach
Dicks has called for unity as they attempt to climb the table. "We had a
great season last season and it was going to be hard to do the same," he
told the club's official website. "But the start we had - obviously we
didn't work enough - we know that. "Collectively we're not working as a
team. You can't really on Dimi or Manu to pop up with goals all the time.
"We have to work as a team. But that's the players, the coaches, the
manager, everybody and even the fans. "We have to stick together and ride
this storm out," he added. Dicks also believes that playing at the London
Stadium has proven to be a motivation for West Ham's opponents and believes
stamping such an attitude out will be key for the east Londoners. "This has
been a big transition and the new stadium is impressive. Teams want to play
there because it is such a fantastic stadium and we have to stop them doing
that. "You do that by working hard. It's down to the players. They need to
start working harder and giving the crowd something to shout about."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham team news: Diafra Sakho to be given first-team chance as he nears
return from back injury
JAMES BENGE
EVENING STANDARD

Diafra Sakho will be part of Slaven Bilic's first-team plans in the coming
months with his recovery from a back injury almost complete. The Senegal
striker has not featured for West Ham this season as he looks to recover
from an injury that has plagued him on and off since late 2014. Sakho seemed
set to depart the London Stadium in the summer after submitting a transfer
request. West Brom had agreed a £15million deal for the 26-year-old only for
the move to collapse over fitness concerns from the Midlands side. In
Sakho's absence West Ham have struggled for goals, particularly from their
strikers. Only four Hammers have found the net this season and not one of
Simone Zaza, Jonathan Calleri or the oft-injured Andy Carroll have yet
troubled the scorers. Whether Sakho would remain beyond January would be
dependent on any offers that came to West Ham but suitors may be reluctant
to target a striker that could be unavailable for much of the hectic new
year period. Senegal's place in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations would almost
certainly see Sakho travel to Gabon, providing he is fit, for the
tournament, which runs from January 14 to February 5. West Ham could be
without the striker, his international team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate, Sofiane
Feghouli and Andre Ayew for up to eight matches, dependant on their progress
in cup competitions. Over 24 appearances last season Sakho managed just
seven goals, five of which came before the end of September. That contrasts
markedly with the 12 he scored in 26 games during Sam Allardyce's final
season at the club. Sakho could be joined by Carroll and Aaron Cresswell in
the coming weeks with West Ham's injury concerns seemingly easing. The
latter completed 50 minutes of a behind closed doors match at the Rush Green
training ground last week and hopes to be available for Saturday's London
derby with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. "I could not have asked anymore
from the physio's, especially Eamon, our rehab fitness coach who has helped
me out massively over the last 12 weeks," Cresswell said. "It is not just
the body, it is the mind as well that you have to get right. For me this is
the first time I have had a long-term injury and hopefully it will be the
last."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Carroll: West Ham players love the London Stadium, I can't wait to play
there again
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Andy Carroll says West Ham players "love" their new home despite their
struggles to secure positive results at the London Stadium. West Ham have
won just one of their four Premier League matches at their new ground this
season with captain Mark Noble admitting players were struggling to adapt
away from the Boleyn Ground. Supporters have made plain their displeasure at
their new home, with parts of the crowd at last week's 1-1 draw with
Middlesbrough chanting "Stratford's a s***hole" and "We should have stayed
at the Boleyn". But Carroll, who has yet to play a league match at West
Ham's new ground, insists that players are happy to have made the move and
cannot wait to make his bow at the London Stadium.
"It has been fantastic for us moving into the new stadium and it is great
for the club," Carroll told the West Ham website. "I know there have been a
lot of discussions about the move, but the players love it. "It is a great
stadium and it was great for me to score two goals against Juventus and get
the season going. Hopefully there is plenty more. "It is one of the biggest
grounds in England and it is great for us to have that and have it being
part of the club. "Obviously the results have not been going our way and we
have not been performing but I cannot wait to get back out there." Carroll's
last appearance for West Ham came in the Europa League tie with Astra
Giurgiu where he suffered a knee injury. West Ham hope the striker will be
back in time for their first match after the international break, a trip to
Crystal Palace. Carroll though is particularly keen to return to the Olympic
Stadium, where he scored a brace in a friendly win over Juventus in August.
"My recovery is going well. I am working hard in the gym and everything is
going well. Hopefully soon I will be back in action. "I can't wait to play
my first league game at the new stadium. I scored two goals against Juventus
and would love to score a lot more there."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 10th October 2016

From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

I want to wish Michail Antonio the best of luck as England prepare to play
their first World Cup qualifier at Wembley against Malta on Saturday. This
is another fantastic opportunity for him and the key for him now is to keep
getting selected in the squad and eventually his chance will come. There is
a new man in charge and I am sure that Michail will be keen to impress him
and show the form which has made him such a star performer in the opening
part of the season. You wonder where we would be without his five goals this
season and he is getting stronger and a major threat to the opposition.
There is no reason why he cannot show the same kind of form for England. The
best stat you can look for in a player is the number of goals you score in a
season. It catches the eye of the national manager and gets you an England
call-up. You cannot question his work-rate and people are aware of his
ability. He now wants to get into the England team.

Michail also has a great personality and you may have seen the stories in
the national press about him driving 135 miles to present his West Ham shirt
at a charity event in Birmingham to help with an auction for neonatal units
across the region. That typifies what Michail is about and it became very
evident when I first met him that he is a caring person. He never forgets
his upbringing and recently went back to his secondary school to meet up
with his former teachers and share his experiences with the current
students. You can read that story on whufc.com over the weekend. I still
remember the early part of his career when he couldn't get into the team at
West Ham and I told him that his time would come. He has now done that and
is now in the England squad. He has had a great upbringing progressing
through the ranks from non-league and fighting every inch of the way. It is
a tough learning curve and all about character building.

Michail is one of many players who are away on international duty and I wish
the best of luck to all of our players who are representing their countries
over the next few days. I want internationals playing for our football club
and I hope they come back injury free.

Talking of injuries, I am delighted that Aaron Cresswell managed to play 50
minutes in a practice game at the Club's training ground on Thursday.
Aaron's return to the first-team will give everyone a lift and is a bit of
good news that we are looking for. He is an important player for the team
and we need to start keeping some clean sheets again.
I have to mention the Dimitri Payet goal against Middlesbrough last weekend.
A goal like that can help change a season and it certainly lifted the
players, the manager, the board and all the fans. Dimi is a remarkable
player and it was a special goal. People talk about the famous Paolo Di
Canio goal against Wimbledon but this will be up there with it. We are
desperate to get out of the bottom three and hopefully things will look a
lot different in the next few weeks if we manage to get a few victories
under our belt. I am not a big fan of the international break but I was
fortunate enough to watch the Ryder Cup last weekend. The standard of golf
that we being played was on another level. I am still celebrating my first
ever hole in one but when I see these guys in action, it makes me realise I
have still got a long way to go! They keep going for these younger guys to
get into the team and I think my chances have probably gone now! It would be
nice if one of them could fluff a shot. It would make me feel a lot better
about my own game! They simply have natural ability and make it look so
effortless. Despite the result, it was a joy to watch.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Johnson - Antonio deserves England call-up
WHUFC.com

Evening Standard football reporter Simon Johnson has been covering England
at major tournaments for the last few years and has welcomed the call-up of
Michail Antonio into the squad.

Johnson says he made a big impression on the national media in the build up
to the first World Cup qualifier against Slovakia and deserves the chance to
show he can compete at the highest level.....


Michail Antonio definitely warrants a place in the England squad and
provides a different kind of threat. He is obviously very good in the air
and can score goals from midfield.

It would be good to see him get his chance in the next two qualifiers
against Malta or Slovenia.

He is likely to be on the substitutes bench but would be a great option for
Gareth Southgate to bring into the action.

I think all the journalists who cover England on a regular basis were hugely
impressed with him when he did a press conference before the first game
against Slovakia.

I can't ever remember a debutant having that impression on everyone in the
room.

Normally it can be a bit daunting for a player who has just received their
first call-up, but he was so confident and had everyone eating out the palm
of his hand with the amusing stories he was telling.

Someone even applauded him when he went to leave the room which shows what
people thought about him.

He was very entertaining and that confidence can only be a good thing as it
shows he is not afraid of anything and felt comfortable being on the England
stage.

It is refreshing to see someone like that and you can see why he is so
popular.

With Gareth Southgate now taking charge this is a chance for everyone to
impress.

Some people feared that with Sam gone, Michail might not get into the squad
but Gareth has kept faith in him and rightly so.

He looked ready to go last time and when England are crying out for a plan B
he gives you that option because he is so good in the air and gives you that
extra threat. He can certainly make a difference.

I know that Aaron Cresswell is also close to making a first-team return and
if he can regain the form that he showed last season he will also have a
chance of breaking into the squad.

Danny Rose appears to be the first choice left back at the moment but Aaron
can certainly challenge for the back-up position and compete with the likes
of Luke Shaw and Ryan Bertrand.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Calleri - The best is yet to come
WHUFC.com

Jonathan Calleri is still adapting to life in England following his
season-long loan move to West Ham United and admits the 'best is yet to
come'.

Calleri arrived with a big pedigree from Argentina having been the top
goalscorer in the Copa Libertadores and netting 39 goals in 90 appearances
over the last two season.

The 23-year-old has made four appearances as a substitute in the Premier
League and started the EFL Cup game against Accrington Stanley, but is yet
to get off the mark.

With Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho ruled out through injury,
Calleri knows he has a great chance to impress Slaven Bilic and feels it
will not be long before he starts getting among the goals on a regular
basis.

Calleri said: "The fans have not seen the best of me just yet and I know I
can give a lot more.

"The style of play here is very different and it can take a few months to
settle in. I remember it took a while for Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
to settle in and then they did really well. I am hoping that I can leave my
mark at the Club.

"The move is going really well at the moment and I really love the city of
London, especially walking around and taking in the sights.

"I am finding it a bit difficult in terms of the language and the style of
play at the moment.

"But I know in a few months time, once I have fully settled in that I will
be able to show everyone what I can do and make the West Ham fans happy."

Calleri needs no reminding that the last Argentine forward to play for the
Club was a certain Carlos Tevez who became a cult hero with the Hammers
fans.

The young forward is well aware of the impact that Tevez had at the east
London club and played a major role in helping the Club escape relegation
back in 2007.

Calleri says he would love to follow in his footsteps and build a strong
relationship with the West Ham fans this season.

Calleri added: "I would love to follow in the footsteps of Carlos Tevez. He
is a unique player and in Argentina people still speak about what he
achieved at West Ham and in England.

"We all remember how he saved the Club from relegation and I hope I can
achieve just a quarter of what he achieved here."

Calleri was forced to miss the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough through injury,
but he is hoping to be back in contention for the next game against Crystal
Palace and is confident the team can move away from the bottom three in the
next few weeks.

"The draw with Middlesbrough will hopefully be the start of a good run for
us. The international break comes at a good time as it means we can take
stock and reflect as a team."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dimi on target for Les Bleus yet again
WHUFC.com

Following his superb strike against Middlesbrough, Dimtri Payet continued
his goalscoring form with a strike for France
Les Bleus were taking on Bulgaria in FIFA World Cup qualifying
There was also a goal for Switzerland U21 international and Hammers summer
signing Edimilson Fernandes

Hammers star Dimitri Payet bagged his seventh goal for national side France
on Friday, scoring in their 4-1 victory over Bulgaria. Fresh off the back of
his solo wonder goal against Middlesbrough last weekend, the 29-year-old
impressed in FIFA World Cup qualifying, notching his side's second goal to
give them the lead in Paris. Didier Deschamps' men had previously fallen
behind to Mihail Aleksandrov's early penalty, but Atletico Madrid forward
Kevin Gameiro equalised for the hosts midway through the opening period.
Then, just three minutes later, Payet – who starred during the summer as
hosts France reached the final of UEFA Euro 2016 – found space on the left
hand side and curled into the box. Though nobody in blue was able to turn
home his centre, there was little the Bulgaria stopper could do about the
Hammers man's ball in as it found the far corner of the net. Antoine
Griezmann added a third before half time before club colleague Gameiro
grabbed his second of the match with half an hour remaining to round off the
scoring. The French face one of their tougher Group A tests on Monday as
they travel to the Netherlands to take on the Oranje.

Also in winning action was Canadian defender Doneil Henry, who started and
played the full match for his side in their 4-0 friendly win over
Mauritania. The American outfit thrashed their North African opponents –
ranked 129th in the world – thanks to goals from Steven Vitoria, Marcus
Haber, and two from Tosaint Ricketts.

Payet was not the only Hammer on the scoresheet on Friday, however – summer
signing Edimilson Fernandes scored Switzerland U21s' only goal in their 2-1
defeat to Norway in Drammen. Norway took the lead on the stroke of half time
before Fernandes thought he'd given his side a point in UEFA Euro U21
Championship qualifying, but the hosts hit back with eleven minutes left to
steal the three points.

Elsewhere in U21 Euro qualifying, West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen –
currently on loan at Bradford City – played the full 90 minutes for the
Republic of Ireland's U21 side as they were beaten 3-1 by Serbia's
youngsters.

Everton's Courtney Duffus gave the Boys in Green the lead, but the visitors
hit three without reply to seal a win.

Reece Oxford was on the bench for England's U20s as they beat Germany 3-1 in
Huddersfield, meanwhile the U19s were 3-1 winners in Croatia though
goalkeeper Nathan Trott – on his first call-up – did not feature.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Dicks - We need our big players
WHUFC.com

West Ham United coaching assistant Julian Dicks has stressed the importance
of having our key players back in first-team contention as the Club look to
move clear of the bottom three.

Dicks is working hard with the rest of the coaching staff and manager Slaven
Bilic to help turn the Club's fortunes around following a frustrating start
to the campaign.

Dimitri Payet's wonder goal against Middlesbrough in the last game helped
salvage a point and the team are now hoping to get back on the winning trail
when they face Crystal Palace on 15 October.

The Club have received a major lift in the build-up to the game with Aaron
Cresswell making his first appearance since suffering knee ligament damage
during the pre-season trip to Austria.

Dicks believes his return will boost everyone in the squad and says it is
crucial that the big name players are back in first-team contention.

Dicks said: "Aaron is a fantastic player and we have missed him. Arthur did
very well when he came into the team and then got injured.

"Aaron has been missed as well and it was great to see him get 50 minutes
under his belt in a training ground match.

"Hopefully he will have no reaction and be in contention for the game
against Crystal Palace.

"It helps having your big players back in the team. We have missed Andy
Carroll and Andre Ayew and you need them when things are not going well.
They can turn a poor game into a good game with a bit of brilliance."

Dicks has no doubts there is enough quality in the squad to see them move
clear of the danger zone and believes the players can play a big role in
helping to make London Stadium one of the best atmospheres in the country.

Dicks added: "All we have ever asked from the players is for them to go out
and give 100 per cent in every game. It has not changed since I was playing.

"We all know what West Ham are about – we have ups and downs. We had a great
season last year and it was going to be hard to do the same.

"We know we have not worked hard enough but the boys gave everything in the
first half against Middlesbrough. It faded in the second half but we have to
settle for a 1-1 draw and we have to take that.

"You don't want to keep losing games because it does affect your confidence.
Obviously the fans get frustrated as well so it is important we got a point.

"This has been a big transition and the new Stadium is impressive. Teams
want to play there because it is such a fantastic stadium and we have to
stop them doing that.

"I am sure we will see a much better atmosphere when we start winning games
and it was the same at Upton Park.

"The new Stadium is a massive ground and it is down to the players to help
change that. They need to give the crowd something to cheer about – whether
it be a goal or a good tackle, they will get behind you.

"We have some good individual players but you cannot always rely on the
likes of Dimi and Manu to get you the goals. We need to work collectively as
a team together. That is the players, management and the fans. We all need
to stick together."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Antonio makes special return to secondary school
WHUFC.com

Hammers favourite Michail Antonio took a trip down memory lane when he paid
a visit to his secondary school in south London.

The Wandsworth-born winger made a successful return to Southfields Academy –
where he was given a hero's welcome by current students – and greeted fondly
by his former teachers and members of staff.

The Hammers' topscorer this season said: "It's great to be back at my old
school. It's always nice to have the opportunity to come back here, a lot
changes every time I come – in the music rooms they're using Macs instead of
PCs, which maybe shows my age! It's always nice to come back, I've really
enjoyed it.

"I've come back before to talk to the kids to try and inspire them by
spreading a positive vibe and saying that you can achieve anything you
want."

It was during his time at Southfields that the then 16-year-old Tooting &
Mitcham player, described by Deputy Head teacher David Holt as a "naughty
but not bad" pupil began to take his football seriously.

Holt continued: "It's absolutely superb that Michail comes back, you can't
put a price on it, and he's a superb role model. Particularly for an
inner-city, multi-ethnic school like ours; to have such a positive character
is absolutely fantastic.

"He always has a really positive effect on all the staff and the students.
As a sportsman growing up, you name it he'd put his hand to it, he had very
good hand eye coordination, basketball, table tennis, badminton and as you
can see, he's a supreme athlete.

"I never had to speak to him about his behaviour or attitude on the pitch;
that only ever happened in the classroom, and when I did, he was always very
contrite."

Now the best part of a decade later, Antonio, part of Gareth Southgate's
new-look England side, is preparing for what could well be his international
debut as the Three Lions face Malta later today.

Holt, much like everyone closely connected to the 26-year-old, is excitedly
awaiting his international bow: "I'm desperate for him to become a full
international, I texted him when he got his first call up and he was
absolutely chuffed."

While his meteoric journey from non-League to Premier League stardom is now
a well-known one, the man himself clearly has fond memories of the place
where it all began.

"When I was a kid I thought you had to go through a Club's academy to become
a professional. But I don't come here just to talk about how to become a
footballer, it's more about having that drive that you need to have to
succeed in any industry and any walk of life.

"It's very important that players take the time to give back to the
community. If I was 16 and a professional footballer visited, I would've
gone crazy, I'd be so excited. I'd definitely want a photo and things like
that, so to be in that position is good.

"Whenever I speak to kids I always stress how important it is to keep up
your education, because whatever stage in life you're at, a good education
is always important."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell - I cannot wait to play at London Stadium
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell says he is dreaming of walking out in front of nearly 60,000
fans on a regular basis and cannot wait to play his first game at London
Stadium.

Cresswell is hoping to make his long-awaited comeback against Crystal Palace
next weekend after being forced to miss the start of the season with a knee
ligament injury.

The former Hammer of the Year has stepped up his fitness over the last few
weeks and successfully came through his first game when he played 50 minutes
in a training ground match last Thursday.

Cresswell is now hoping to help his team-mates get back on the winning trail
as they look to move away from the bottom three and is counting the days
until he can make his first appearance at the Hammers magnificent new home.

Cresswell said: "I played in the final ever game at the Boleyn Ground and
was then looking forward to playing the first game at the new Stadium, so to
miss it was a big blow.

"I am really looking forward to walking out the tunnel in front of 60,000
fans and it is something you dream of. I am looking forward to playing my
first game there.

"The new Stadium is fantastic and when you look around the place it is
everything that you could ask for.

"I can just imagine when we have the really big games and I know the
atmosphere is going to be unbelievable and it will be special."

Cresswell has nothing but praise for the way the West Ham medical staff have
helped made a speedy recovery after initial reports suggested he could face
four to six months on the sidelines following the injury he sustained on the
Club's pre-season tour to Austria.

The talented full-back also has a special word for his partner Jessica who
helped him come through a difficult spell when he first suffered the injury
and does not have to look after his every need anymore!

Cresswell added: "I am 26 and this is the first big injury I have suffered
during my career. Hopefully I will be able to get over this little setback
and stay injury free for a long time.

"I was stuck in a knee brace for four to six weeks and it was hard to get
the knee bending. I could only bend it so much and it was difficult for me
just to get out of bed and walk down the stairs.

"There was some dark days during that time but I can now see some light at
the end of the tunnel.

"The missus was great to me during that time and it felt like I had a little
bell by the side of the couch that I kept pressing every time I wanted
something!

"It was little things from wanting a cup of tie or getting the food on, but
she was fantastic during that period and helped me through it as well when I
couldn't walk or get down the stairs.

"Everyone told me to keep positive and that helped me get through it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stadium operaters foil THIRTEEN break in attempts
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Olympic Stadium operaters LS185 claim they have prevented no less than 13
break-ins since a group of young Londoners were filmed running amok inside
the arena. Earlier this week we revealed how a group of London-based
YouTubers broke into the Olympic Stadium and filmed themselves running
across the pitch and sitting on the stadium's brand new, £270million roof.
And LS185 have claimed that since the group - who call themselves Night
Scape - made the press with their exploits, no less than 13 copycat attempts
have been foiled by stadium security - none of whom were present earlier in
the week.
According to the Mail Online, "security firm London 185 reviewed their
procedures in the immediate aftermath and have since thwarted 13 separate
efforts day and night." There are no plans to arrest those involved with the
Night Scape video, despite them trespassing in the Olympic Stadium grounds.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A new West Ham Supporters Trust
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th October 2016
By: PC Hammer

Discussion has been in overdrive in all forms of media about our wonderful
club's current malaise and while we all hope it will begin to pass (starting
with a win against Crystal Palace next week) a number of people feel very
strongly about a number of issues.

Of primary concern has been the lack of any central voice from the fans to
the board, media or social media. Our websites are superb and from reading
fans forums it is clear there are many excellent / diverse ideas out there -
but actually where do they all lead?

Of course, some may be read by people in the media or at West Ham but it is
clear the majority of correspondence to the club is not replied to, making
people angry, upset and feeling they are not being listened to.

Any response usually boils down to a tweet from the Dave's or a club
statement – very impersonal. The SAB (and the new 'Supporter Feedback
Forum', to which KUMB was not invited) has been shown to be a puppet in the
hands of the club.

In response to this it has been decided to call a meeting at the Hammers
Social / Supporters Club (HSC) in Castle Street off Green Street for a 3pm
start on Saturday, 8th October to propose the formation of a supporters
Trust.

It is noted that such efforts have been made previously and failed but there
seems to be a groundswell of opinion that this time it will succeed, as many
from previous attempts have put forward their names, ideas and groundwork
covered.

Many fans are unhappy (to say the least) with the move and all its nuances
while again there is great support from many for the supporters club itself
to move to Stratford. We have lost so much that we feel we just have to do
something and keep some things going.

West Ham seem to have washed their hands of the HSC, while Newham Council do
not seem too bothered at this fine institution.

All being well the Supporters Trust will be a real place based at the HSC,
with West Ham fans at its core giving fans a chance to voice any concerns
they have which can then be put forward to the club.

We would hope to eventually be respected by West Ham as other football
Supporters' Trusts around the country are. We will keep a check on what goes
on with the club and being there to represent the interest of our fans going
forward.

Many will say too little, too late but it seems now, more than ever, us fans
need something. Be clear, this Trust is not an anti-OS crusade but one in
the name of the fans of West Ham to keep the spirit of the Boleyn going as
we venture into our first season at the new stadium.

Your support and input will be crucial and gratefully received as the Trust
gets off the ground.

For those unable to make the 8th October a second meeting has already been
arranged for Saturday, 22nd October again at the HSC with a 12 noon start so
business can be completed for us to go see the Hammers smash Sunderland.

Thanks and Come on you bloody Irons!

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

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Randy on a roll
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's reserve goalkeeper Darren Randolph played a starring role as the
Republic of Ireland got their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign back on
track last night.

The Irish - who drew their opening game of the group phase in Serbia last
month - ran out 1-0 winners against a resolute Georgia at the Aviva Stadium
last night, thanks to Seamus Coleman's first ever international goal.

However there was an element of luck involved as the visitors struck
Randolph's woodwork - twice - within a matter of seconds, when Mchedlidze's
close-range shot cannoned off the bar before Guram Kashia's follow-up header
rebounded off the post moments later.

The Hammers 'keeper was however called in action shortly before the interval
when he was forced to divert a stinging shot from Mchedlidze, again - the
first shot on target during the match.

Fortunately for Randolph the second half proved to be a much quieter affair
and he was rarely called into action. Everton's Coleman scored the game's
only goal 11 minutes after the restart, ensuring the Irish remain unbeaten.

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Shooting the messenger is missing the point
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 7th October 2016
By: Paul Walker

I'm tempted to suggest that the one thing we should not be doing at present
is shooting the messenger…particularly if Simone Zaza is pulling the
trigger, because he'd miss!

Yes, it's Brady-bashing time, an easy target for disgruntled West Ham fans
and there are times I can fully understand that feeling. Our beloved Karren
is so often the one front of house acting like the wicked witch of Highbury.

Now I am loath to even start to defend her, such is the poisonous attitude
to the Baroness of Knightsbridge. And I always feel that millionaires and
billionaires are fair game anyway.

But as the 'culturegate' saga rumbles on, it seems to me she has been
horribly, maybe intentionally, misquoted so that West Ham can be given it's
daily kicking.

You might not like what she stands for in the modern game. I hate her
politics and frankly the way we have all been bullied into a new era, forced
marched to Stratford and a shiny new world of steel and glass..and popcorn.

But surely we all knew what was coming. We all grudgingly knew the way the
owners wanted to take the club, with this ground move, into a brave new
world of corporate entertainment. It was not exactly a shock.

You can take a view whether you want to be part of it. But you cannot say
you were not warned. In some ways, its our Brexit. Many folk, about 52 per
cent, voted for change and a new idea of how the country should be run. They
even believed some lies on a bus about the NHS.

Now we have got there, we all want to know exactly what it will look like in
the future. And the same goes for West Ham, we may have been taken in by a
few porkies even if we saw the reasoning for the move and went with it. Now
we are not too happy with what it looks like and want a few more answers.

But what exactly did we expect from a lady who was employed to re-brand,
beef -up, and re-launch our club at a totally new level of commercial
activity? It doesn't matter whether you or I flinch at being called
customers or that the whole money making machine that football now is leaves
us depressed.

The lady was just doing her job. She was brought in by G&S to revamp our
administration from top to bottom. She was brought in to clinch the Olympic
Stadium deal. She was brought in to make sure the corporate hospitality side
of our business was dragged into the 21st century.

She was told to make sure the boxes were full, the restaurants, clubs and
suites were bursting at the seems, that plenty of posh bums were placed on
posh, padded seats. She wasn't asked to make morale judgements about costs
or the history of West Ham and how it is maintained and nurtured.

She was told to get on with it and put our club on a modern financial
footing, no longer the 'circus' as Mark Noble so rightly described the
recent past.

And it has been a success in her, and the board's terms. We have 52,000
season ticket holders, another 50,000 on the waiting list and plenty of new,
nouveau riche fans with their children who are not bothered about how far
their seats are from the pitch or whether the great unwashed in the BML want
to stand up or not.

To get to where we want to be, we had to attract new fans. Different fans,
people who didn't want or were not able to get into the Boleyn. Because,
sadly in modern terms, that's the only way this club will ever expand and
make money.

Now sometimes she can be irritatingly arrogant, dismissive, impersonal and
even disinterested in a side of the game that makes no money, and does not
appeal to the middle classes who now want their football gentrified and not
presented to them with the smell of burnt onions, strange green liquor and
urine lapping round your shoes in the loos.

She was sent out by the Davids to clean up our act. Make it more appealing
and attract a lot more money. Whether you like it or not, and you are
entitled to an opinion, that is the only way we will compete and survive in
the real world.

I know folk who have been going to non-league games, to cling onto the
atmosphere and the old ways. Me too, my local side are in the top three of
the National League and I can stand where I want, have a beer and a laugh.

If you want to be like Millwall, Orient, Charlton or the rest of the lower
division clubs who have been cut adrift by the corporate culture, OK, go for
it. And belief me I can understand the desire to run a mile from the glossy
new image. But don't blame Lady K.

I must admit to being concerned about her a couple of years ago when she did
one of those fawning TV programmes with Piers Morgan into her life story.
Two Gunners together. She talked about her fight to champion women in
football, she talked about the Olympic Stadium and her project.

But she did not mention West Ham by name at any time. I felt then that she
could be embarking on her project anywhere, with any club, that it was us
did not really matter too much more than great objectives in the future.

She is, though, always wide open to ridicule. She gives a speech at a event
at Stamford Bridge aimed at promoting and explaining the growing corporate
image of football. So when she talks about us not having a culture in that
field, she is blatantly talking about corporate and commercial planning and
not the proud East End legacy of our club.

So she gets stitched up by a Guardian writer who tweets her speech as she is
making it. When the word culture comes up he implies that she may be talking
about corporate stuff. He knew full well what she was talking about. But
lets not throw water on a fire before it has caught light. From then on it's
all guns blazing and Brady finds herself being pilloried for the assumption
that she is slagging off our history.

What she has done is put into sharp contrast the two sides in this debate
about football's future. Those that want to have their entertainment in a
close-knit, fervent, brutally-honest stadium. It's what we have been brought
up on and what we love.

But the other side, sadly, says that you must make big money, have big
stadiums and full houses to get anywhere and you must rinse the customer for
as much as is possible and more to make any form of success a reality. That
is the new way, the only way really, and it hurts to see it. John Dillon (a
big West Ham fan) in the Evening Standard this week, expressed these views
of the culture clash much better than I have.

If we had won a few more games, produced more of the verve and excitement of
last season, I doubt we would be having these intense conversations. But we
have been frogmarched into the future very, very quickly and there's a lot
of travel sickness about.

And, to be fair, we have been deceived a lot about our new home. I had my
doubts when we were not able to go into the stadium to view our seats when
we were invited to talk to the now infamous reservation centre lot. And we
were not even allowed to take a snapshot of the computer image either. There
was something to hide, and we now know it was the exact distances we all are
from the action.

The relentless desire to sell tickets at all costs to make the thing work, a
tunnel vision intent to grind any opposition into the dust, has created this
sea of resentment. And the incompetence of our new owners has just made
things worse.

This week I have read 11 pages of minutes from the fans' meeting with the
club over the whole sorry saga. And Lady K chaired that meeting. It was
very, very detailed, all the complaints I have heard got a hearing.

Funnily enough, the worries I raised earlier this week about the Chelsea
game, policing levels and the sale of beer bottles inside the stadium and in
full view of the pitch, have been addressed. From now on all booze will be
decanted into plastic mugs, just like at the Boleyn. Why does it take the
nonsense of bottle throwing at the Middlesbrough game to get the owners and
caterers to act like responsible grown-ups?

The extent of that meeting and the response of Lady K suggested the club are
taking the problems seriously, many minds seem to have been concentrated.
They want those extra 3,000 seats. We will see, it's about time.

The bottom line now is that there is no turning back, no Boleyn to reclaim
mainly because we don't own it any more. There is nothing we can do about
where we are now. Apart from fight for a fair deal for fans.

There is a strong clamour for a genuine supporters action group to engage
with the club and the ground owners, not to just have people losing their
season tickets on the say-so of a steward. That's a kangaroo court and
unthinkable in a modern society, everyone has the right of appeal. I hope
the club get their heads around this one because many, many folk are unhappy
with the way our real fans are being treated.

But we must look forward. |There is no point in petitions, singing about
going home is just that, a sad song with no real objective. Lady K did not
insult our culture, now we have to decide whether we are West Ham or not.
Make your minds up for one reason. We are the culture of our club, wherever
we play.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
EXWHUEMPLOYEE TRANSFER EXCLUSIVE: IDRIS KANU'S MOVE EXPLAINED
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 8 OCTOBER 2016 AT 9:55PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk

I was as surprised as anyone when I heard that talented youngster Idris Kanu
had joined Aldershot Town. The 16 year old was very highly rated at the club
and the development team were very disappointed when he refused to sign a
new deal. It was thought that young Idris was looking for a move to a big
academy and he had a trial with Nicky Butt at Manchester United. He made his
debut for the Manchester United Academy scoring two in a 5-1 win over
Middlesbrough. He looked set to join them but the deal never materialised
much to the surprise of the Manchester giants.

I was curious to know why he had joined Aldershot as were many people, no
disrespect to them, but I expected a higher standard. As it turns out ex
West Ham Assistant academy director James Rowe is the assistant manager at
"The Shots". The 31 year old left West Ham after he was disciplined
following complaints of "poor practise" in his dealings with young players
after a parent complained to the club.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/11685218/West-Ham-d
iscipline-new-academy-coach-for-poor-practice.html

Idris' agent is in fact Colwyn Rowe who is James' father. The move has
caused some surprise to various academies who had been scouting Idris for a
potential move and of course West Ham themselves who were very disappointed
to lose the player. It appears that this family link has been the key
ingredient in the move.

Idris came on as an 86 minute substitute today as Aldershot beat Solihull
Moors 2-0 in their Vanarama National League encounter and impressed with the
touches that he had.

(We would appreciate our information being quoted if it is used)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SATURDAY AFTERNOON NEWS ROUND UP: IS RAVEL MORRISON SET TO RETURN TO THE
PREMIER LEAGUE?
BY BEN COOPER ON 8 OCTOBER 2016 AT 1:26PM
TheWestHamWayco.uk

Here is a round up of the stories concerning the hammers this Saturday
afternoon.

Karren Brady has hit back at her critics, insisting the grumbles over West
Ham's move to the London Stadium will fade and die once Slaven Bilic's side
start winning. Karren has also backed the manager to recover from a poor
start to the season. "We have great faith in our manager and we sense no
problems among the players. They all desperately want to do well and they
will." (via The Sun and HITC)

Chelsea await decision on cup allocation due to London stadium safety
concerns. West Ham could be fined for not giving Chelsea the full allocation
of 10% (via The Express)

Jonathan Calleri is still adapting to life in England following his
season-long loan move to West Ham United and admits the 'best is yet to
come'. (via whufc.com)

Branding expert Peter Knapp has backed West Ham to become a 'super brand'
comparable to Manchester city (via The Evening Standard)

Rigobert Song: There have been unconfirmed reports that Rigobert Song
tragically died in hospital last night. Thankfully, this news does appear to
be incorrect and nothing more than a hoax. (via Various sources)

Julian Dicks: "We need our big players." Dicks has no doubts there is enough
quality in the squad to see them move clear of the danger zone and believes
the players can play a big role in helping to make London Stadium one of the
best atmospheres in the country. (via whufc.com)

Dimitri Payet bagged his seventh goal for national side France on Friday,
scoring in their 4-1 victory over Bulgaria. (via whufc.com)


Aaron Cresswell says he'll be stronger for recovering from his knee injury.
(via Tribal Football)

A fourth arrest has been made following crowd trouble at West Ham vs.
Middlesbrough. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of violence
disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. (via Gazzete Live)


Michail Antonio could earn a second new deal after showing exceptional form.
(via The Mirror).


Trevor Sinclair has said that Dimitri Payet proved this summer that he cares
about West Ham more than money by staying at the club, and believes that he
will only get better as he is something of a late bloomer. (via whufc.com
and HITC)


Ravel Morrison is set for sensational return to the Premier league as Lazio
sanction the loan listing of the 23 year old. (via 90 min)


Did we miss anything? please drop us a comment or start a discussion on our
forums.


Also, we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who backed the site
and voted for us in the football blogging awards (The FBA's). Your efforts
helped us make the shortlist for the best new blog! The final round of
voting is now live, please click here to vote again.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham star Michail Antonio could earn SECOND new deal after sensational
early season form
22:30, 7 OCT 2016
BY DARREN LEWIS
The England international has been challenged to maintain his performances
by manager Slaven Bilic after scoring five goals in seven Premier League
games
The Mirror

PA WireMiMichail Antonio could earn himself his second new deal in a year at
West Ham. The former Forest midfielder, 26, has had an impressive start to
the season - despite his club's struggles - with five goals in seven Premier
League appearances. Antonio's form has also seen him break into the England
squad, keeping his place under Gareth Southgate after being called up during
the short reign of Sam Allardyce. Antonio signed a new, four-year contract
with West Ham in July this year, in recognition of a fine first season at
the club. The Hammers could improve that deal even further if he is able to
maintain his consistency this season. Slaven Bilic revealed last month that
he held talks with Antonio following his debut call-up to ensure he keeps
his feet on the ground. Bilic said: "We've had a few talks. Make no mistake,
he was confident before, he's a very confident lad. "All he has to do now is
not to change - not to change the way he plays, the way he trains,
everything, and we have to help him with that."

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West Ham unable to give Chelsea enough tickets for upcoming EFL Cup tie
13:24, 8 OCT 2016 UPDATED 13:25, 8 OCT 2016
BY LIAM CORLESS
Chelsea are entitled to claim 10 per cent of the stadium's 57,000 capacity
but West Ham have told their rivals they won't be able to comply with that
request
The Mirror

West Ham's difficult bedding in period at the London Stadium shows no sign
of letting up, with the club unable to offer enough tickets to Chelsea for
the EFL Cup tie on October 26. Chelsea are entitled to claim 10 per cent of
the entire stadium's capacity, which is 57,000, but West Ham have told their
London rivals they won't be able to comply with that request. So far this
season, visiting teams have only been given around 3,000 tickets at the
stadium, but EFL Cup rules mean Chelsea are allowed to request almost double
that amount. However, there are a number of issues at the stadium that West
Ham are yet to iron out and Chelsea's request has been denied. Those issues
include a limited amount of toilets in the away end, position of the
turnstiles and the position of supporter segregation lines.
West Ham have asked the EFL if they can reduce Chelsea's allocation by 500
tickets. Chelsea said in a statement: "Under EFL Cup rules, away clubs can
claim up to 10 per cent of the stadium's capacity which in the case of the
London Stadium is approximately 5,700 tickets. "We have requested the full
amount. However, due to the current set-up at the stadium this figure is
likely to be revised. "Discussions are ongoing between West Ham, the English
Football League and the stadium authorities, and we are still waiting for
confirmation of our allocation which is expected later next week."

If West Ham are not granted special dispensation to reduce Chelsea's
allocation, they are likely to face an EFL investigation and may have to pay
compensation to their London rivals.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"We can never go back": Karren Brady hits back at West Ham critics over
London Stadium saga
09:10, 8 OCT 2016 UPDATED 09:10, 8 OCT 2016
BY MATT LAWLESS
Vice-chairman Brady has come under fire following the club's summer move
from the Boleyn Ground
The Mirror

Karren Brady has hit back at her critics, insisting the grumbles over West
Ham's move to the London Stadium will fade and die once Slaven Bilic's side
start winning. Vice-chairman Brady has come under fire following the club's
summer move from the Boleyn Ground. The Hammers have been beset by huge
teething problems as they attempt to settle into their new home, battling
with a series of issues on and off the field. The team's form has been poor
too. West Ham have made their worst start to a Premier League season since
2003 - when they were relegated. Despite just one win in their opening seven
games, Brady believes Bilic's side will turn the corner as the team are
"desperate" to do well. And she urged supporters to get behind their new
home - because they are never going back to Upton Park. "I believe
absolutely in our move to the London Stadium," wrote Brady in her column for
The Sun . "And nothing, certainly not the Twitter nonsense I have received
before and after the talk I gave about the move, will change our direction.
"It's become a bit of a bandwagon which will disappear to the fading sounds
of grumbling wheels once we start winning home games." The Hammers travel to
London rivals Crystal Palace next weekend, looking for their first win on
the road since last April.

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West Ham's Argentine striker Jonathan Calleri says he wants to be the next
Carlos Tevez
16:01, 8 OCT 2016 UPDATED 16:44, 8 OCT 2016
BY RORY BRIGSTOCK-BARRON
The on-loan hitman believes it may take him a while to settle in but
eventually he can emulate his compatriot's success in east London
The Mirror

West Ham striker Jonathan Calleri has vowed to emulate the club's last great
Argentine striker, Carlos Tevez . The 23-year-old has failed to get off the
mark since joining on loan from Deportivo Maldonado, despite an impressive
record in his home country. But like compatriots Tevez and Javier
Mascherano, Calleri believes it's only a matter of time before he starts to
impress. Calleri said: "I would love to follow in the footsteps of Carlos
Tevez. He is a unique player and in Argentina people still speak about what
he achieved at West Ham and in England. "We all remember how he saved the
club from relegation and I hope I can achieve just a quarter of what he
achieved here." Calleri told the club website: "The fans have not seen the
best of me just yet and I know I can give a lot more. "The style of play
here is very different and it can take a few months to settle in. I remember
it took a while for Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to settle in and then
they did really well. I am hoping that I can leave my mark at the club. "The
move is going really well at the moment and I really love the city of
London, especially walking around and taking in the sights. "I am finding it
a bit difficult in terms of the language and the style of play at the
moment. "But I know in a few months time, once I have fully settled in that
I will be able to show everyone what I can do and make the West Ham fans
happy." Hammers fans will be hoping Calleri can come up with the goods
sooner than that, with Andy Carroll, Andre Ayew and Diafra Sakho all missing
with injury. Slaven Bilic's side are in the relegation zone after seven
Premier League games with just four points to their name so far.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 7th October 2016

Ladies bag first win of the season
WHUFC.com

C&K Basildon Ladies 0-1 West Ham United Ladies

The cold October wind blew across the aptly named Frost Financial Stadium in Canvey Island, but it was the West Ham United Ladies who were to turn the heat up on their bitter rivals C&K Basildon. The Hammers, who had earned their first and only point in the corresponding fixture a few weeks ago in a goalless draw, named two new signings in the squad. Jay Blackie and Shannon Albuery came in from Charlton and Chichester respectively. And it was Blackie, who had played under James Marrs at his previous club, who began dictating the game from her central midfield position, holding the ball up well and releasing the forwards. In a tight first half the West Ham Ladies had played some excellent free flowing football and had had the better of the chances, both falling to the speedy Sarah Wilson who narrowly missed with one and blasted the ball over the bar from close range with the other. West Ham Ladies carried on with their neat possession football in the second half, while the Basildon Ladies were restricted to long range shots which were being comfortably dealt with by keeper Chauhan. As the game progressed, the new fitness regime that Marrs has implemented seemed to be paying dividends as the West Ham Ladies attacked at will, but they were let down by some poor finishing.

Substitute Albuery got her chance in the 75th minute, replacing Wilson and she began to terrorise the Basildon defence with her pace and power. In the 85th minute, just when the game looked like it was heading for a draw, Blackie found space on the right wing and put in a glorious cross which cleared the Basildon keeper and was headed into the back of the net by Gerr.
Clifton came on for the goalscorer in the final minutes to see West Ham Ladies through to their first win of the season, a season that has now begun in earnest.

West Ham Ladies: Chauhan, Mackie, Wheeler, Bottom, Sammons, Cooper, Blackie, Wilson, Locke, Burr, Gerr.
Subs: Ray, Albuery, Clifton.

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Class act Antonio gets shirty
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio has been class on the pitch this season - and now he has shown his class off it by driving 135 miles to deliver his West Ham United shirt to a charity.

The No30 winged his way to Birmingham on Saturday evening to present his shirt for Libby Mae's Little Angels to founders Richard and Charlotte Sharratt, having run out of time to post it before Saturday's black-tie ball and auction for neonatal units across the region.

After stepping off the pitch at the end of the Hammers' 1-1 Premier League draw with Middlesbrough at London Stadium, Antonio drove to the Midlands on his way to his family home in Manchester, before meeting up with the England squad at St George's Park in Staffordshire.

Antonio, whose kind gesture went viral after being shared on social media by the charity, said: "I knew they wanted it for the auction that night, so I thought I'd drop it off after the game before carrying on to see my family."

The charity has raised more than £135,000 so far after it was set up in 2013 in memory of Libby Mae Sharratt, who died at the age of just two weeks due to a heart defect.

The generous 26-year-old is an ambassador for the Guy Mascolo Football Charity and recently opened the Michail Antonio GMFC football centre in south London. Antonio has a long history of giving back to the community, having made a number of trips to his first club Tooting & Mitcham since joining West Ham in summer 2015.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cresswell thrilled to be back in action
WHUFC.com

Aaron Cresswell was thrilled to be back on the field following a successful return to action and now hopes to be in contention for the next Premier League game against Crystal Palace. Cresswell has been forced to miss the start of the season after suffering a knee ligament injury during the pre-season game against Karlsruher. Reports suggested that the talented full-back would be ruled out of action for four to six months, but the 26-year-old has nothing but praise for the way the Hammers medical staff have helped make a speedy recovery. Cresswell played 50 minutes in a training ground match against the Hammers PL2 side on Thursday and with another week until the big London derby at Selhurst Park, he hopes to be available for selection and help West Ham get back on the winning trail. Cresswell said: "It feels good to be back out there training with the lads and not being stuck in the gym or the treatment room as I look to get the knee right.
"I could not have asked anymore from the physio's, especially Eamon, our Rehab Fitness Coach who has helped me out massively over the last 12 weeks. "It is not just the body, it is the mind as well that you have to get right. For me this is the first time I have had a long-term injury and hopefully it will be the last. "I am looking forward to getting back in contention. I have played 50 minutes and the knee feels good. I am looking forward to next week."

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Lanzini back among the goals
WHUFC.com

Manuel Lanzini was back among the goals as he netted a brace to help the first-team record a 3-0 win over our PL2 team at the Club's training ground on Thursday. Simone Zaza also found the target as Slaven Bilic had plenty to be optimistic about after seeing Aaron Cresswell successfully come through his first game after suffering a knee ligament injury during the Club's pre-season tour to Austria. Cresswell played 50 minutes and will now be hoping to be in contention for the Premier League game against Crystal Palace on 15 October. Dimitri Payet might have stolen all the headlines against Middlesbrough with his wonder goal but Lanzini showed he can also steal the show with another impressive display following his recent return to first-team action. The 23-year-old played a part in all three goals and turned provider for the first when he played a perfect through ball into the path of Zaza. The Italian forward, on-loan from Juventus, showed his quality in front of goal when he fired an impressive finish past Raphael Spiegel. Lanzini doubled the lead when he showed a great piece of skill to burst clear into the box and struck the ball into the corner of the net. The talented midfielder made it three late in the game when he was picked out by Club skipper Mark Noble and fired a superb finish past Spiegel. Bilic was keen for his for his players to keep up their match fitness over the international break and also saw Adrian, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pedro Obiang compete in a strong starting line-up.

West Ham TV caught all the action and were on hand to see our Argentine midfielder back to his best.

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47k
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

West Ham's actual attendance figure for last weekend's Premier League clash against Middlesbrough was circa 47,000, according to a KUMB source.

And that's up a couple of thousand on the 45,000 who attended the Southampton game a week earlier.

Earlier this week David Sullivan reiterated that the game was a sell-out. But with thousands of empty seats dotted around the ground, it was clear that many season ticket holders - including many of those who had exercised the 'plus 2' option - had not attended the game.

"With 52,000 season ticket holders and 50,000 supporters on the waiting list, every game from now on will be the same," Sullivan told West Ham's wesbite. "Any empty seats are down to our current capacity limit of 57,000."

Sullivan's comments were repeated yeserday by Karren Brady, who was representing the club at a business conference.

"With 52,000 season ticket Holders, including 25,000 from families and 10,000 aged 16 or under, and more than 50,000 supporters on a waiting list to join them, the Hammers could soon be playing home matches in the largest club ground in London" she said.

That there have been so many empty seats has not been helped by supporters' inability to sell season ticket seats on a match-by-match basis. However a tciket exchange should be in place ahead of West Ham's next Premier League fixture at the Olympic Stadium, against Sunderland two-and-a-half weeks from now.

"We will be launching imminently a ticket exchange which means any supporters who can't make a game because of holidays or travel problems can legitimately sell their tickets to other supporters," added co-owner Sullivan.

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Brady forced to explain 'culture shift' comment
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 5th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Vice chairman Karren Brady has been forced to defend comments she made at a business summit relating to the changing 'culture' at West Ham. Brady, speaking at the Leaders Sports Business Summit at Stamford Bridge caused a bit of a stir when she made a reference to changing the 'culture' at West Ham. Some fans mistook the comment to refer to West Ham United as a whole - something later denied by Brady, who insisted that it was a specific reference to the corporate side of the business. "To be 100 per cent clear, I did not and have never criticised the culture of our supporters," she said on twitter following a stream of criticism. "i said it's our supporters who make the club, NOT the stadium. "At Leaders [I was] was asked about corporate culture at WHU. I explained our world-renowned heritage is what sets us apart; shame not reported that way."

Speaking at the conference earlier in the day, Brady referred to the business opportunities that had been presented to the club as a result of securing a 99-year lease at the Olympic Stadium whilst defending the decision to move there. "We saw that as a real opportunity to change the brand values of the club," she told the conference. "There was a plan to plug the debt, build the future and create the culture. "Rebranding ourselves was really important with our stadium. We're in the London Stadium. We added the word London to our crest because we felt it had real global appeal. Nobody else does it. "We are in the heart of London, in the foothills of the financial sector. We have the best stadium – there are some great stadiums in this country but there is only one Olympic Stadium and it's ours. It's really had a dynamic impact on the things we can do. "We have this great stadium and much better prospects and facilities than in our old stadium but we charge a lower price. We offer a more dynamic product at an inferior price. It's been so well received and it comes back to our values and our culture."

However the comment that raised eyebrows came when Brady explained why the club's business side needed a major overhaul, following the mess left behind by former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson. "There were two interesting things about it," she said. "One, it had £100million worth of debt. Two, it had no what I would call culture. "At football clubs we don't make anything, we don't manufacture anything, we don't really produce anything other than more players. So getting the culture right, being a place where something is expected of you, having discipline, planning and process and strategy. That wasn't there."

However Brady also recognised that no football club can be a success without the support of its fanbase. "If you're always driven by money, you lose your traditional values and what you're there for," she said. "The stadium and the league are not what makes a club. It's the people who support it. Protecting their traditions and their values and their integrity in their own brand is very important."

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To Bilic, or not to Bilic?
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 6th October 2016
By: Gary Portugal

On every metric, Slaven Bilic is failing THIS season, no matter how well he did last season. Whilst the excuses trotted out may have some merit, such as injuries and the stadium move, in the end they are just that – excuses.

In truth the decline started at the back end of last season, when Swansea battered us at Upton Park and we failed at Stoke on the last day with an assured European place on the line. To take one point from our last four fixtures of the season, all of which were winnable and three of which were at home is appalling. There's no other way to say it.

Despite all of this, I would NOT sack Bilic at the moment. Why not? Not because he's a nice guy, which he undeniably is. Because, simply put, I cannot think of a suitable, realistic replacement. Steve Bruce? No thanks. Harry Redknapp? Ditto.

With Avram Grant it was different – there WERE other options available,but the Board dithered and we paid the price. Circumstances are different now. There simply are few, if any, realistic alternatives to Bilic out there right now.

Does he deserve an ongoing free pass based on that? Nope, definitely not. But much as I think he DESERVES to be let go following our shambolic start, in my view sacking him now is not the answer, and could well make things a lot worse.

Am I being harsh by implying that if a decent replacement WERE available, that we should sack Bilic? In my view, no. The start of this season has been an unmitigated failure, from the Europa League onwards. Obviously the ultimate responsibility lies with the players, but Bilic does bear a significant portion of the blame for the nasty situation we find ourselves in.

He's a lovely guy, in contrast to the ogre who was his predecessor. As such, it pains me to see him failing this badly , because he's a really decent human being. In terms of results, it really could not be any worse. Booted out of Europe by average opposition, on our own patch. In the bottom three for the international break , with arguably the worst defence in the division at the moment. With few positives to find, the question becomes , who is responsible for all this, and to what degree?

Of course the players, Bilic and his staff and the Board all bear SOME responsibility. Nobody is guilt-free here. Not even the supporters. Obviously the football has been a shambles. But even BEFORE we've conceded in recent matches, the atmosphere at the 0lympic Stadium has been very subdued. INCREDIBLY quiet at times, although it was slightly better for the Boro fixture.

I think that the Board worked hard this summer to bolster the squad, but with limited success. It did not help matters that the Board telegraphed and advertised its intentions to all and sundry in a very unsubtle way, regarding transfers. Nobody can fault the amount of money invested by the board in recent seasons. But they left it very late to bring Zaza in, for which we're paying a price now, as he does not look sharp.

The Board were also slow to recognise the need for cover in the full back positions, even before Cresswell's injury and given Byram's lack of top flight experience. We brought Arbeloa in but only at the last minute, even though he was available all summer. Which means that if the Board can be faulted, but only a bit, then the bulk of the blame lies with the players and managerial staff.

Where exactly has it gone wrong for Bilic? Initially, the problem was the well documented playing of players out of position - specifically Michail Antonio and, to a lesser extent, Havard Nordtveit, neither of whom are proper full backs. Eventually Bilic saw sense, or was MADE to see sense, but by that time, the damage had been done.

More recently, team selection has been an issue as opposed to playing people out of position. Persisting with Collins , despite his catalogue of errors (starting with conceding a late equalizer in Romania and continuing in ALL his Premier League appearances apart from the Boor game, when he finally played well) is the best example. Ogbonna is way more mobile than Collins and much better on the ball, yet Bilic persisted for too long with the Welshman.

Bilic continues to play Simone Zaza, who to date has barely registered a shot on target and has struggled to even hold the ball up. Fletcher may be young, but in his limited time on the pitch he's looked more of a threat than either Zaza or Jonathan Calleri. Against Boro, Bilic finally thought outside the box and played Antonio up front, which was long overdue. The man DID play upfront at times for Forest, so this was not THAT radical an idea, and should have been tried sooner, especially given Antonio's goal scoring record this season and last.

But sadly, Bilic also chose to start Gokhan Tore against Boro, who is arguably our worst player of the season to date, and still looks unfit. Why do this when options like Spfiane Feghouli and Manuel Lanzini were available?

Bilic has lacked the bottle to bench senior players who are underperforming, notably Mark Noble and Cheik Kouyate, both of whom have been substandard. These two have failed to give adequate protection to the back four, yet have been rewarded with starts, whilst Pedro Obiang has been left to rot on the bench until recently.

It is true that none of our wingers have covered themselves in glory from a defensive point of view, but this responsibility must lie more with our holding midfielders, and with Bilic in terms of the formation he chooses. Just because Noble is the captain and Kouyate was such an engine LAST season does not mean that they should be left of the hook. And a player like Reece Oxford has been TOTALLY frozen out. Why?

If we're not going to play Oxford then why didn't we loan him out, assuming he's old enough to go out on loan? Additionally, was it really wise to sell James Tomkins, given our limited cover at right back and the ageing of Collins? Did Bilic have a say in the sale, or was it forced on him by the club? Or did Tomkins simply demand a move? We may never know what really happened there, or not for a while anyway. But Tomkins certainly would have come in handy at either right back or centre half in these first seven games.

The length of our injury list also calls into question Bilic's training methods. All teams suffer injuries, but what we are experiencing this season is beyond the pale. Something is not right and the way our players train, warm up and warm down must come under scrutiny.

The latest casualty, Byram, whilst making a diving header, injured his hamstring after just five minutes on the pitch. Andre Ayew lasted less than 20 minutes on his debut. Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot, though. Did we really need to risk Andy Carroll on a dodgy Romanian pitch? Did Arthur Masuako really need to start against Accrington, given our pre-existing injuries at fullback?

One way of assessing our current situation is to ask what place we would be in if we had a TOP manager, with our exact current squad. Under Guardiola, Wenger, Mourinho, Klopp, even Kouman, would we be 18th? I doubt it.

Obviously, we're in no position yet to get a manager of that stature, but that is not my point. My point is simply that these players have not become bad overnight, despite making a series of avoidable individual errors in the first seven games. A better manager would have seen our league position improve considerably, with the SAME squad.

Final thoughts on the matter? In an ideal world I'd replace Bilic as he has not been good enough THIS campaign, despite being very successful last season. But in the REAL world, we cannot sack/replace him. There simply is nobody out there worth taking a chance on now.

I sincerely hope that the point vs. Boro has not only stopped the rot, but marks the start of us gradually getting back to our best after the international break. Bilic is a good person and I would love to see him turn it around, but I'm not overly optimistic. In my view, even at this early stage the table does not lie. We need to start sorting it immediately, at Selhurst Park.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.

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West Ham starlet Reece Oxford aiming to follow in Rio Ferdinand's footsteps
West Ham United news: All the latest from the London Stadium
Reece Oxford made his first-team debut for West Ham against Arsenal
Oxford hasn't yet made an appearance for Slaven Bilic's side this season
The 17-year-old admits that he is hoping to push on like Rio Ferdinand did
Oxford has been linked with many big clubs since breaking through
By CALLUM HOSIER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 12:32, 6 October 2016 | UPDATED: 12:34, 6 October 2016

West Ham's Reece Oxford has revealed that he would like to emulate former Hammer Rio Ferdinand in his career. Ferdinand joined West Ham's youth academy back in 1992, amongst a whole host of other talent including former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. The ex-England star went on to form an enormously successful career, with his capabilities on the ball, as well as off it, being a highlight of his success and Oxford hopes he can follow in Ferdinand's footsteps. 'The player that I looked up to the most at West Ham was probably Rio Ferdinand because he was the same position as me,' Oxford told Goal. 'When I came to the club I was a striker and he got moved to centre-back [too] and he just moved on from there, so hopefully I can push on the way he pushed on.' said Oxford. The 17-year-old made his Premier League debut in West Ham's 2-0 victory over Arsenal on the opening day of last season at the age of 16. The young defender appeared confident and composed, showing he had huge potential at such a young age. Since making his breakthrough at West Ham, Oxford has been linked with several big club but he insists he doesn't let the expectation that has been placed on him get to him. 'I just don't really take any notice [of the pressure], I try not to think about it too much,' he added. 'I just do what I can do and hopefully it's good enough.' Oxford is yet to make an appearance in Slaven Bilic's side this season but with the poor start West Ham have made, especially in defence, the youngster could be close to another first team opportunity.

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DON'T BE SHOCKED IF WEST HAM STRIKER'S SEASON IS NINE-GAMES LONG
news.ladbrokes.com

Little has gone right for West Ham this season, whether that be their dreadful start on the pitch, a raft of injuries to key men or unwanted headlines from fan behaviour. Hidden among all of that gloom is the fact that their big-name new striker, Simone Zaza, has yet to find the net in his first five appearances for the club. On-loan from Italian giants Juventus, the Azzurri international has cut a frustrating figure for Slaven Bilic's side. In his four Premier League outings thus far, Zaza has managed to fire a measly six shots at goal. That's the same number as centre-back James Collins and a whopping 21 fewer than Michail Antonio, who leads the team with 27. Should form like that continue it would be no surprise to see the 25-year-old dropped to the bench before long. However, there could be another reason why the Policoro native's season is cut short. According to media reports in Italy, West Ham are obligated to make their loan deal for Zaza permanent after he has made 10 appearances for them. The east Londoners revealed upon signing the striker that a permanent fee of €20m would automatically be triggered after a certain number of games. The club never actually disclosed what that figure was, but according to the player's agent the magic number is 10. That means that unless the 14-cap international starts firing soon, West Ham decision-makers may opt to throw him into shadows to avoid shelling out on an expensive flop. Zaza's latest opportunity to break his Hammers duck, in his sixth outing, will come after the international break against Crystal Palace. It's 23/10 that the Irons win.

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West Ham summer signing Andre Ayew hopes for injury return soon
HITC
Mathew Nash

The Ghanaian has been out of action with a thigh injury. West Ham United striker Andre Ayew has commented on his upcoming return to fitness during a trip to his Ghanaian homeland. The Black Stars attacker joined West Ham in the summer from Swansea City in an attempt to add some goals to the Hammers attack. Unfortunately, that plan quickly fell by the wayside.
Ayew picked up a serious thigh injury on his debut with the club and has not featured for the club since. He is currently in Ghana along with West Ham striker Ashley Fletcher and medical director Stijn Vandenbroucke as part of a sponsorship tour and is quoted by Sports World Ghana as having this positive message to say about his injury recovery: "I'm very hopeful of a return soon. I don't know when I will be fit but am certain that I will be back sooner than later". West Ham have certainly been struggling without his presence this season.
The club are currently at the wrong end of the Premier League table and a lack of striking options is certainly proving a problem for Slaven Bilic's men once again. Ayew will hopefully be back in action soon, as he proved at Swansea last term that he can be a potent threat in the Premier League. At the moment, that is something West Ham need.

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West Ham's Dribble King Martin Samuelsen on How He Mastered Flair Play
By Lars Sivertsen , Special to Bleacher Report Oct 6, 2016
http://bleacherreport.com/

There was a time not too long ago when only the anoraks and the insiders could claim to know much about the future stars of the game. But between the proliferation of TV coverage and the rise of social media, this has changed completely. So even though he has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League, West Ham United winger Martin Samuelsen, currently on loan at Blackburn Rovers, already has a small but enthusiastic fanbase. Because while online showreels are notoriously unreliable indicators of talent, the 19-year-old undeniably has something—a kind of natural grace and swagger on the ball that all football fans love.

"When I was a kid, the most important thing for me was to win games," Samuelsen told Bleacher Report. "And I found that the easiest way for us to win games was for me to just get the ball and score goals myself. So I did that more and more, got better at it and started learning different kinds of dribbles."

It has become quite common in football parlance to describe players such as Samuelsen, those with polished technique and a range of skills, as having "natural ability" or "natural talent." The use of the word "natural" implies his qualities were somehow bestowed upon him by the universe—that he is simply the grateful winner of some kind of genetic lottery. But behind every swerve and each cutback lies innumerable hours of meticulous practice.

From the age of seven, Samuelsen practiced a number of skills and dribbles in a systematic, targeted way. Together with his father, he developed a system: His father would show him video clips of specific skills, and they would give each dribble a name and put them all into a spreadsheet. They then devised a scale from one to 10 on which to mark the youngster's familiarity with that particular dribble.

Level 1 was simply knowing the dribble; Level 10 was mastering it to the point it could be used in matches with a success rate of 80 per cent or higher. The goal was to reach 10 with all the moves in the spreadsheet. "My father helped me," Samuelsen said. "It was nice to have a system, to see the progress. But it was my father who was the brains of the operation."

His father, Frode Samuelsen, told Bleacher Report he saw early on that his son had something: "First of all, he's a quick learner. And he has a very competitive nature, so he is motivated by improvement. That motivation has always been strong, and he has always sought to learn things.

"He never stops until he has fully mastered the thing he's trying to learn. He's honest with himself. A lot of people convince themselves that they've mastered something and that they don't need to practice any more, but Martin never stops. That mentality is important."

With his son eager to learn, Frode helped Martin devise the system so that he would get the greatest possible benefit from all the hours spent with the ball.
"I think what we got right was that we started working on technical drills at a very early stage, and we added enough of those so that they addressed all the various motor skills that are important at the age he was at," Frode explained.

"It's a cliche, but there is such a thing as the golden age for motor-skill development. It starts early and it ends at around 12 years of age. So it's important to spend a lot of time on these things at that age.

"Also, when we created the scale of one to 10 and used that both during training and during games, I think we got it right in the sense that we used the technical elements right up to the point where they become productive. We didn't just work on technical details in isolation; the goal was always to utilize them in matches."

In addition to spending hours training on his own almost every day, Samuelsen spent his time between the ages of seven and 12 playing for more than one team; he'd train and play with his own age group, but he'd also train and play with the age group above him. He visited several clubs around Europe, including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

In short, he played an extraordinary amount of football. And he remained passionate about improving and passionate about the type of player he wanted to be.

There's no real tradition in Norway for developing great dribblers. For a country of just five million people, Norway has made a reasonable impact in global football over the years—but aside from a handful of notable centre-forwards, the Norwegians who leave the country and do well in bigger leagues tend to be rugged defenders, reliable full-backs or hardworking midfielders.

There is a reason for that. Generally speaking, young players in Norway who try something flashy in training are usually told, in no uncertain terms, to stop it. But according to his father, the young Samuelsen found a rather effective way around that problem.

"What Martin did was that he managed to make himself somewhat untouchable," Frode said. "You can't really criticise a young player for his style of play when he is scoring 200 to 300 goals a year.

"A lot of kids will see a skill on YouTube, practice it a couple of times on their own and then try it in training or in a game—and then their coach will tell them to stop that nonsense.

Martin Samuelsen @samuelseen
Thank you to everyone who made my time at @theposhofficial so special!❤️ I will never forget #UpThePosh
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"And maybe the coach will be right, maybe the coach can see they're nowhere near good enough to actually do this skill. But with Martin, he's always taken it step by step. He's made sure he doesn't use a skill in training or in games until he knows he can do it nine out of 10 times. So he didn't give the coaches a chance to tell him to stop.

"This worked for him up to a certain point, but then you get to a level of football where there are fewer and fewer opportunities to try these skills during matches—and that's when you have to be tough mentally."

Looking at modern football at the highest level, it can seem as if the art of dribbling is in decline. Academies around Europe are churning out a steady supply of nifty playmakers who excel at quick passing and play one- and two-touch football. The point of transition has increasingly become the main focus of modern football tactics. Counter-attacking teams want to find the quickest and most direct route forward, to which dribbling isn't always conducive.

Possession-oriented teams fear losing the ball more than anything, so attempting to dribble past an opponent can end up being seen as an excessively risky pursuit. And most of all, with more money, more scrutiny and more pressure involved than ever before, there is an overwhelming fear of making mistakes running through football. This is not an easy time to be the kind of player Samuelsen has worked his entire life to become.

"My experience, having spent time at academies all around Europe, is that the higher the prestige of the academy, the lower the tolerance for mistakes," Frode said. "Players are effectively stripped of their skills in training. There's no training on your own time because the clubs want to control everything and make sure players don't train too much. So you deprive the players of the possibility of training alone, which is important in terms of developing certain skills.

Frode believes players are being stripped of the chance to develop, with too much focus on safe passes and not enough on being bold and creative: "Some clubs might be making progress, but I feel this is a culture that's permeated most of the player-development communities today. There's not enough risk. People forget that it's meant to be about development."

Even the players who do attempt dribbles these days also try to play it safe.

Former England international Chris Waddle, a man who knows a thing or two about dribbling, bemoaned this development during his appearance on Graham Hunter's Big Interview podcast last year:

The art of beating people is about how close you get to the man. I watch players today running with the ball, when they get within five yards of the full-back, or whoever they're playing against, and they start doing stepovers.

But the guy is five yards away. You're never going to beat a guy who's five yards away. The object of beating a man is getting as close as you can, within a yard, because that's where either you're going to go one way or the other, or he's going to nick the ball off you.

It is safer, naturally, to keep your distance—because if the defender doesn't fall for your feint, you will still have enough space to retain control of the ball or play a quick supporting pass. Samuelsen is trying to do it Waddle's way.

One person who has noticed that is former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, who was deeply impressed with the teenager following his performance against West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup during his loan spell at Peterborough United last season.

"He's confident on the ball, travels with it really [well] and could transfer from left to right foot with ease," Keown wrote in the Daily Mail. "He ran with real quality. ... Sometimes he looked like he was about to lose possession because often he shows the ball to his opponent, but he quickly transfers it and whips it away. I was very impressed."

But there is, of course, risk. And for a young player who is trying to make a name for himself at the top level, you only have to be dispossessed a handful of times before coaches and managers become anxious.

There is also the issue of being productive. "That's the eternal battle for the type of player Martin is," Frode said. "If you dribble four guys but put your shot wide four times in a row, then you're just a guy who dribbles too much. You have to be extremely effective."

The psychology of football can be strange. It is somehow worse to miss a shot following a successful dribbling raid than it is to just miss a chance. It is similarly worse to lose possession having attempted a dribble rather than lose possession after a bad touch. To many coaches, managers and pundits, this is the difference between a greedy player and one who simply missed a shot or had an unlucky touch.

But there are also great rewards to playing in this way. Football is, after all, not just about winning at all costs. It is those who are prepared to take on these risks who make football such a popular sport. And whether he succeeds at the highest level or not, Samuelsen is determined to be this type of player.

During his loan spell at Peterborough and following his brief debut for Norway in June, there has been an overwhelmingly positive reaction from football fans. "That's been a huge motivation over the last year, when he's been playing games," Frode said. "He's had a great response from West Ham fans, from Peterborough fans and then from Norwegians.

"It just confirms to him that he's done the right thing in staying true to himself and the type of player he is. Football, after all, is an entertainment business. So having that feeling that you're entertaining the people watching is important."

Samuelsen himself is reasonably happy with how things went last season. "I knew that I could play well if I got a chance," he said. "I think I had a good season last year, and I hope to do even better this time around."

You get the sense Samuelsen won't be away from West Ham for too long. In spite of all the billions spent by clubs in the Premier League, there have been a number of unheralded youngsters who have taken their chance and established themselves as regulars in the English top flight over the last few years.

If he gets his chance, you wouldn't want to bet against Samuelsen becoming the next one.

All quotes were gathered firsthand unless otherwise stated.

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West Ham yearning to have Andre Ayew back- Hammers medical chief Vandenbroucke
Published on: 06 October 2016
GhanaSoccer.net

West Ham United's Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke has described Ghana star Andre Ayew as a great player and cannot wait to have the injured player back in action.
Ayew, who is the club's record signing, has been out of action since suffering an opening day thigh injury in August. But the Ghana international is days away from making a return to the pitch to help the Hammers who are fighting for results. Vandenbroucke, who is in the country with Andre Ayew and Ashley Fletcher on a Betway activation programme, says West Ham cannot wait to have Ayew back. ''Andre is a great player and as a great player he is very important to the West Ham United family,'' he said ''His comeback will be crucial but we believe it is a team effort and definitely we will turn things around.''

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West Ham agree to team up with Nigerian football club FC Ifeanyi Ubah
By matt_harris | Posted: October 06, 2016
EssexLive

West Ham have made a move into Africa. The club have made a partnership with Nigerian Professional Football League side FC Ifeanyi Ubah. According to Nigerian newspaper Vanguard the deal will involve scouting, merchandising and friendlies being held in England. The team joined the NPFL in the 2014/15 and finished 11th in their first season and fourth in their second.
At a meeting in the Nigerian capital Lagos, where West Ham's managing director Angus Kinnear was present along with former Nigerian internationals, the club's owner, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who is also chairman of the Anambra State Football Association, said: "We have over 18 areas why we are partnering with West Ham United. "Ranging from scouting, merchandising, going to England to play friendly matches among others. With this partnership with West Ham United, we are going to be producing over 50,000 footballers in Anambra soonest."

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Night of Glamour as WestHam Signs Historic Partnership Deal with FC Ifeanyi Ubah (PHOTOS)
Posted By: Breaking Timeson: October 06, 2016
http://www.thebreakingtimes.com/

It was an evening of glamour as icons of the Nigerian sports industry, ex-internationals, sports journalists, football administrators and stakeholders converged at the Eko Signature Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, to witness the historic visit of English Premiership side, West Ham United to Nigeria, for a meeting with the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF and top Nigerian Professional Football League side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

The meeting which gave life to the partnership deal between the Hammers and FC Ifeanyi Ubah, also had a technical discussion session, and interactive session with journalists bordering on the essence of the partnership deal, as well as charting a way forward to developing young football super stars in Nigeria.

Roll Call Eminent sports icons, administrators and ex-internationals who graced the event were the Chairman Senate on Sports, Sen. Obinna Ogba; President, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; Managing Director, West Ham United, Mr. Angus Kinnear; President NFF, Amaju Pinnick; Chairman, League Management Company, LMC, Malam Shehu Dikko; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, representing the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung. Others were Chairman, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Mr. Chukwuma Ubah; Technical Director of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Coach Mitko Dobrev; Head Coach of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Coach Everton; ex-internationals Henry Nwosu, Julius Aghahowa, Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba, Pastor Taribo West and Victor Aghali, among others.

Also in attendance were President-General Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo; former Super Eagles Head Coach, Ambassador Fani Amun; Super Eagles Midfielder, John Ogu; Chinedu Harryson, Guiness Book of Record Holder for holding a ball on his head from Redeemed Camp to National Stadium among others.

Speaking at the event, the Proprietor, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah said he has taken a good step by building a formidable team, FC Ifeanyi Ubah. According to him, the team just joined the NPFL in the 2014/2015 season ended 11th and this season ended 4th. "This is a laudable feat. We are bringing a lot of professionalism to the team. As you all know we have Brazilian and Bulgarian coaches, with foreign players from Brazil, Niger, Congo, Ghana among other foreign countries," Ubah said.

He disclosed that as Chairman of the Anambra State Football Aasociation, "Our vision is to get kids involved in football. Nigeria is a nation of over 180million people. Nothing should stop us from producing the future Chiristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi's of these world."

He reiterated the huge investment that sports, particularly football offers, saying it's so huge even than the allocation of all the tiers of government. Ubah, however, revealed that "We have over 18 areas why we are partnering with West Ham United.

Ranging from scouting, merchandising, going to England to play friendly matches among others," adding that "with this partnership with West Ham United, we are going to be producing over 50,000 footballers in Anambra soonest."

The Chairman, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Chukwuma Ubah, on his part, said it was the intention of FC Ifeanyi Ubah to get a continental ticket, but said the team ended 4th in the just ended 2015/2016 season of the Nigerian Professional Football League, NPFL, saying the team is appreciative of the support it's getting from Nigerians.

According to him, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which is billed to play the finales of the Federations Cup, with winner between Enyimba and Nassarawa United, will buckle up next season to win the league, as well as pick a continental ticket. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, West Ham United, Mr. Angus Kinnear, thanked Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah for his confidence reposed in West Ham and for inviting him to Nigeria.

He said "the fantastic achievements of FC Ifeanyi Ubah within two years shows that the driver, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is a man of vision. In the next two to 10 years, we want to look back and see that we have created a lot of value in the Nigerian football industry."

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Legal bother for Valencia back in Ecuador
Lyndon Lloyd Thursday 6 October 2016
ToffeeWeb.com

An attempt was made to detain Everton's on-loan striker, Enner Valencia, when he arrived for training at Quito's Atahualpa stadium yesterday as lawyers seek maintenance money they claim he owes for care of his five-year-old daughter. According to AS, Valencia apparently avoided detention when not all of the police officers complied with the judicial order to accost him.
They claim he owes $17,000 in maintenance payments but neither Valencia nor his representatives have publicly commented on the matter. "It's lamentable that certain police officers didn't collaborate with the detention of the footballer Enner Valencia, to ensure compliance with a judicial order", said Paul Marín, a lawyer for the mother of the striker's child.
"If they say this man earns so much, why doesn't he pay [the maintenance] monthly to his daughter?" Ecuador face Chile this week in CONMEBOL section World Cup qualifying.

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Don't Hammer Karren Brady - West Ham's rebrand was right... now it needs to be backed up on the pitch
20:18, 5 OCT 2016
OPINION BY MATT LAWLESS
Brady has become the figurehead for blame after dramas that have come with the move to London Stadium, but the real problem could be fixed with a run of wins
The Hammers' move to London Stadium has come with its share of controversy
The Mirror

Leaving the Boleyn Ground was a good chance to "rebrand" West Ham. Not my words. Those of Karren Brady, the vice-chairman of the club, on Wednesday at the Leaders conference at Stamford Bridge. And it has caused quite a stir. Cue contempt from a growing number of disillusioned and disgruntled supporters. "A new day and a new PR disaster by West Ham," wrote one on Twitter. "It's like an unfunny comedy sketch".
Brady has become the figurehead for blame. Along with co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, the Baroness has been accused of selling the soul of the proud East End club. Why? Because they took the deal of the century to relocate West Ham to bigger and better pastures in Stratford. Do they deserve the flak? Absolutely not. The Boleyn Ground was great. It really was. But there are probably a hundred reasons why West Ham needed to move. To become a bigger club, to contend with the big boys, they simply had to. "We saw that as a real opportunity to change the brand values of the club," Brady said. "Rebranding ourselves was really important with our new stadium. "We're in the London Stadium."
The trouble is many have misinterpreted those comments and seen them in a negative light. It makes absolute sense to me, however. West Ham before Sullivan, Gold and Brady arrived was on its knees. £100million in debt. Going nowhere. Little ambition. West Ham didn't have a brand value. Now they do. Mark Noble, the club captain, highlighted that last season. "The key word is stability," he said. "In a way, the club was run like a circus in some stages over the last 10 or 20 years. "They [Gold, Sullivan, Brady] have brought in good players and put in money and that was what was needed. That is why the club is moving the way it is."
By rebranding, as Brady put it, they are no longer just West Ham. They are West Ham United London. With 52,000 season ticket holders they have the most in the capital - second behind Manchester United in England. The tickets are among the cheapest in the Premier League. And that was all thanks to the "rebrand" opportunity the new stadium offered. Affordable football. Tick. New supporters. Tick. I doubt Brady's comments were designed to stir fresh resentment. If anything, it was merely stating the obvious. To survive in the Premier League, you need to do so off the field as much as you do on it. The truth is, moving home hasn't been as easy as West Ham envisaged. Complaints range from the pitch is too far away to standing up during the game, to fighting in the stands - and outside the ground - and so on. In all honesty, I can't argue with many of those. The worrying trend of hooliganism is a real concern.
But, for me, the real flaw of the London Stadium, lies in the performances of the team. West Ham, with just one win in seven games, have suffered their worst start to a season since 2003 - when they were relegated. As much as increased security and policing in the stadium will help improve matters in the long-run, winning games is the only way to win the supporters hearts and minds. Brady - who I know works tirelessly behind the scenes - is getting all the blame and I fear that will continue if results do not improve. But the mood will quickly change after a winning run. The real rebranding needs to take place on the pitch.

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