Daily WHUFC News - 14th October 2016

Slaven Speaks - Crystal Palace
WHUFC.com

Slaven Bilic faced the media ahead of the London derby against Crystal Palace on Saturday and was asked about the latest team-news including the return of Aaron Cresswell. Bilic was also asked about the mood in the squad over the international break and the importance of moving out of the bottom three....

Slaven, what is the latest team-news ahead of the big London derby on Saturday?

SB: "A few of the players who were away on international duty are coming back today. Winston Reid is the latest one because they played in the States, he is back today and tomorrow we have a full team. "The other players who were here trained really hard over the break. "Aaron Cresswell is back. He has started training for a couple of weeks with the physio's and the fitness coaches. He has started to train with us and has had 10 days training. He looks good, sharp and will be in the squad."

How much do you put the bad results this season down to the number of injuries which have affected the squad?

SB: "I am not looking for excuses but definitely they are one of the reasons why we didn't start as we wanted to and definitely we had injuries from the pre-season and a lot of them were long term. "Now, a lot of the players are coming back and the injury list is not that big. Cresswell is already back and we are expecting a few of them to come back soon."

A lot of people have said the big move into the new Stadium has also played a part in the results. How much do you agree with that?

SB: "The stadium is not a reason, the stadium is great. Many clubs changed stadiums and needed time to settle in, get used to the stadium. It is great stadium and we have to win a few games to feel more at home. "Make no mistake, we would rather play at home because there we feel 60,000 people. Of course it is not a relief, we would like to play Palace at home on Saturday."

Dimitri Payet scored a wonder goal in your last game against Middlesbrough. How much would you love to see him repeat that against Palace on Saturday?

SB: "He had the Euros and then he was injured, then he came back and he is sharp and fit, with quality of course, and he produced that kind of magic with a goal that was amazing. "We are expecting him to continue - not to score those kind of goal, not a one-off in his case but very hard to score those goals. "In every side, you have players who you are expecting to do that. Last year it wasn't only him, there were a few players doing that stuff in the games. Dimi is one of them. That's why he was one of the best players in the Premier League last season."

Have you had time to reflect on the opening part of the season over the international break and how much has it helped the injured players like Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew move a step closer to a first-team return?

SB: "We used the international break to train a bit more with the players who were injured before the last international break. We used this couple of weeks to get them in the state that is required for the Premier League. "I am happy the way they trained and I am expecting them to be fit and good. This break gives us two weeks to the next game, the players who were really close are back training with us. "A few like Ayew, Sakho, Carroll are still not fit but are closer. The spirit in the group and the shortening of the list of injuries is giving us belief and hope and optimism before the games."

What do you make of the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday and how much would you love to repeat the 3-1 victory you had at Selhurst Park last season?

SB: "Palace didn't start well in the first three games and got one point. In the last four games they got 10 points. "Benteke gelled straight away and they probably didn't want the break as they were playing good. "We went there last season at this stage and we played very well and we won the game 3-1 so hopefully we are going to do the same, although we are expecting a very difficult game."

Finally, you will be facing James Tomkins for the first time since he left the Club during the summer. Do you have any regrets over your decision to let him leave?

SB: "I tried to explain the situation with James. I didn't want him to leave or go but last year he played many, many games for us in different positions and he was very good for our squad. "But I couldn't guarantee he would play week in week out and that is the reason he left. He didn't want to leave because he is West Ham born and bred. "He wanted guarantees basically and I couldn't give him that."

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Noble - It will feel very strange against Tonks
WHUFC.com

Having played alongside one of his best mates in football for over 15 years, Mark Noble says it will be a weird feeling when he lines up against James Tomkins for the first time in a competitive game. Both players progressed through the West Ham Academy and became close friends as they made their way into the first-team and became a key part of the squad. The duo experienced a number of memorable moments together including the victory at Wembley over Blackpool back in 2012 which helped the Hammers gain promotion back into the Premier League. Tomkins made a big decision during the summer to leave the east London Club as he was not guaranteed first-team football and made the switch across London to join up with former manager Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace. The Hammers skipper says it will be an emotional day coming up against his former team-mate, but says he has to earn the bragging rights as Tomkins still lives down the road and bumps into him all the time. Noble said: "It will feel very strange on Saturday having played alongside James for so many years. "I say playing but looking after him for so many years! "I got him out of a number of situations on the pitch but I would like to put him in trouble on Saturday! "It is a shame he had to move on but that is football and it is very common for things to happen like that. "He is 27 and wanted to play regular first-team football. It is a big loss for us because it is not just how good he is on the pitch, but the impact he has around the training ground. We have to move on now and good luck to him. "He lives down the same road as me so we see each other a lot. But when we are on the pitch the main focus for me is getting the three points. "He is a great lad and we get on so well. But you have to accept these things and we need to get the win on Saturday."

Noble admits he would love to repeat the impressive 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last season, but says he would welcome any kind of victory as the team look to move away from the bottom three. Noble added: "It doesn't matter who scores or what the score is, we just want the three points. "There is always a great atmosphere at Selhurst Park with a small intense crowd. I played under Pards and Kevin Keen is now one of the coaches so it will be a good game. "It is not ideal for us to be in the bottom three but we will try our best to push up the table and get our season going."

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

I am thrilled with the news that Ladies team are now being brought into the West Ham United family and this is the start of a new era. I know our fans will be excited about this move and hopefully this will help raise the profile and give our Ladies team every chance to be successful in the future. This is an opportunity that will give young women the chance to showcase their talents and give them a chance to represent the famous claret and blue. I have been a big advocator of bringing the Ladies team in-house and we have faced some issues in the past which has stopped us from doing this. But I am delighted that we have now been able to agree a deal and these are exciting times to be part of the Ladies set-up. If you want the Ladies team to compete at the highest level, they have to be associated with the football club. We are now well on the way to doing that and hopefully we will be able to challenge at the top level in the next few years.
I have always followed the Ladies game and remember watching the Ladies World Cup Final last year which was won by the United States. It was a great final and speaks volumes for how much the women's game has progressed. It would be great to see the England Women's team win the World Cup and hopefully we can have some players who can be part of the squad in years to come. The Ladies team play great football and I am just as excited watching their results as I am following the first-team because they represent our great Club. I am pleased we have now found a way to embrace it even more. You cannot have the Ladies team carrying the banner of West Ham United and not being affiliated to us. It was important to bring them into the fold. I have been to a number of games and have always enjoyed the experience and meeting up with a number of West Ham fans who like to follow all the teams. I realised how passionate the fans are for all things West Ham United. Of course this will not happen overnight and we will need some time to address all the issues and get things right, but the reward at the end of it could be something very special. I would urge all our fans to get behind the West Ham United Ladies and if you have not got any plans on Sunday, come along and support the team at Thurrock when they play Crystal Palace in the London FA Capital Cup. The extra support would be fantastic. I will certainly try and get down to see the Ladies in action in the near future and show my support.

We hope it will be a memorable weekend all-round for the football club and we can go into that game on Sundaycelebrating victory for the first-team at Selhurst Park on Saturday. I still have fond memories of the 3-1 win there last year and it would be fantastic if we could come away with a similar result. Palace are playing very well at the moment but we desperately need a victory and I want to walk into my office with my head held high on Monday! This will be the first time we are coming up against James Tomkins on Saturday and I am sure that he will get a great reception from the West Ham United fans. He came through the youth academy and was a great servant to the football club. We wish him well at Palace, but not necessarily this week! It will be a major boost for us having Aaron Cresswell back in the squad. We have missed him at the start of the season and having big players like him back in contention gives a major lift to everyone at the Club. The morale goes up with the fans going to the game and we want our top players available for selection. We know the importance of getting out the bottom three and we have every chance of doing that this weekend.

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Bilic: I didn't want to lose Tomkins
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven BIlic has insisted that he didn't want to part company with James Tomkins - but claimed he had no choice. Bilic, speaking to the press this morning ahead of Saturday's trip to Tomkins' new club Crystal Palace also confirmed that the 27-year-old had no desire to leave West Ham. "I tried to explain the situation with James," he said. "I didn't want him to leave or go but last year he played many, many games for us in different positions and he was very good for our squad.
"I couldn't guarantee he would play week in week out and that is the reason he left. He didn't want to leave because he is West Ham born and bred. He wanted guarantees basically, and I couldn't give him that."
Bilic was speaking exactly one year to the day after co-owner David Sullivan dismissed reports that Tomkins would be leaving the club in the near future. When asked on 13 October last year about the Basildon-born defender, who was being linked with a move to Sam Allardyce's Sunderland, he said: "James is a West Ham United player and has four-and-a-half years left on the contract. "He loves the club. ​He won't be going anywhere."

West Ham face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park at 5.30pm this Saturday.

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Carroll still crocked, Sakho still unavailable
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Andy Carroll is still nowhere near returning to first team action - nearly two months after it was reported he would be sidelined for 'four to six weeks'. The perma-crocked former England international sustained his latest injury back in August during the away leg of West Ham United' Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu. At the time, club doc Stijn Vandenbroucke - writing in his weekly column for whufc.com on 23 August - suggested that Carroll would "be out for 4-6 weeks". Rather more telling however was Vandenbroucke's suggestion that "one should not underestimate the mental challenge that comes with a physical injury". And nearly eight weeks later Vandenbroucke has revealed that the 27-year-old striker still has "had a few bridges to cross" before he can be considered fit enough to be considered for selection once again. "Andy Carroll is continuing his rehab following the knee injury he suffered in the UEFA Europa League tie in Romania in August," wrote Vandenbroucke. "He is working as hard as he can on the pitch and in the gym, making progress. "Andy has a few bridges to cross before he can join in first team training."

In other injury news, Carroll's fellow striker Diafra Sakho is also nowhere near making a first team return despite having been undergoing his own unique pre-season programme since the beginning of the season. And club-record signing Andre Ayew, who has played less than 45 minutes for the Hammers since moving from Swansea in a £20million switch is also expected to be out of action for at least another month. "Diafra Sakho is undertaking his own pre-season, working very hard on his fitness levels with a view to join the squad on the pitch," confirmed Vandenbroucke. "Andre is continuing his rehab and is entering the stage, a mini pre-season, where he needs to get significant fitness work under his belt in order to cope with the demands of the Premier League."

There was further bad news with confirmation that loan signing Gokhan Tore has been ruled out for between "four and six weeks", after suffering a quadricep injury during the recent international break. Meanwhile Sam Byram has undergone an operation after sustaining "a significant hamstring injury" during the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough. Finally Arthur Masuaku - who is also a month or so away from returning to first team training - is said to be "progressing well" and will have his knee brace removed early next week.

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Olympic Stadium not a problem, says Bilic
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 13th October 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic insists that the move to the Olympic Stadium has not been a factor in West Ham United's poor start to the 2016/17 season. Despite having been dumped out of the Europa League for the second successive season by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu and currently propping up the Premier League table, Bilic insisted that the club's new home has not been at fault. Rather more responsible, according to the the under-pressure manager, was the succession of injuries that continue to blight the club. "The stadium is not a reason, the stadium is great," he maintained when asked about the OS during this morning's pre-match press conference. "Many clubs changed stadiums and needed time to settle in, get used to the stadium.
"It is great stadium and we have to win a few games to feel more at home. "I am not looking for excuses but injuries are definitely one of the reasons why we didn't start as we wanted to. We also had injuries from pre-season and a lot of them were long term. Now a lot of the players are coming back and the injury list is not that big. "Cresswell is already back and we are expecting a few of them to come back soon. Ayew, Sakho, Carroll are still not fit but are closer. "A few of the players who were away on international duty are coming back today. Winston Reid is the latest one because they played in the States, he is back today and tomorrow we have a full team."

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Mark Noble exclusive: Players care more than some fans think
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 13/10/16 4:44pm
SSN

Mark Noble insists players care more about poor form than some fans think and believes that West Ham's results will improve. West Ham have struggled for form since moving to the London Stadium in the summer from Upton Park, and sit 18th in the Premier League. In an exclusive interview with Soccer Saturday, Noble said: "A lot of fans around the country and I'm not just talking West Ham fans, think that: 'Oh footballers get paid well, so if they lose it doesn't matter, they just go home to their nice cars and houses, and it doesn't matter.' "I can assure you that isn't the case. You do care. And I can assure you the players in there care, every one of them. "But sometimes when it isn't going for you, it isn't going for you, and you need to dig in and work hard for each other and try to turn it around."

Hammers captain Noble, who has been at the club his entire career, also suggested some teams have found it easier playing at London Stadium compared to the compact surrounding of their former ground.
"As I said before we even moved into the stadium, you've got to win points, because nobody is going to give you them, and teams are going to come here now and enjoy playing here. "If you ask them if they enjoyed playing at Upton Park, they'd probably say yes for the atmosphere, but because it was an intense place, so up-close and personal, it was a tough place to go and get a point. "A lot of the time the atmosphere is fantastic, and if I'm really honest we haven't given them much to shout about for sure. "But I've always said, and I believe I can say it because I've been here since I was a kid and have supported West Ham my whole life; if you can't support West Ham through times like this then why support us at all? "I mean it was great last year, we had spells where the fans were unhappy, we lost a couple of games, but the real fans and the fans who have stuck by us all these years will stay behind us I am sure."

West Ham finished seventh last year in Slaven Bilic's first season in charge, but have struggled to match those performances this season. They go to a rejuvenated Crystal Palace on Saturday looking to return to form, and Noble says the players have aired their views about recent form, which can only be a good thing going forward. "People have spoken up and said what they feel, whether it's wrong or right it's nice to get those feelings off your chest and get on and train. "If you train 100 per cent and play 100 per cent, nobody can really have a moan at you because you've given everything. "I don't think the effort is questioned, I just think it's probably at points a lack of confidence. "I do believe it will change around. I believe we've got the characters and the players in there, and the manager especially to do that, and quality. But quality doesn't always get you points, you have to dig in together, and that's what I think we've got in the changing room."

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West Ham's Aaron Cresswell back in squad for Crystal Palace trip
By Tommy Ardener
Last Updated: 13/10/16 11:52am
SSN

Aaron Cresswell will feature in West Ham's squad for the first time this season when they travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday. The 26-year-old full-back has returned to training this week - almost one month earlier than expected - after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season. Before his injury, Cresswell had missed just one Premier League match in two seasons for the Hammers and was in contention for an England call-up.
Manager Slaven Bilic said: "Aaron Cresswell is back and looks sharp. He will be in the squad for Saturday and we will then make a decision." Fellow defender Havard Nordtveit and striker Jonathan Calleri have also returned to full training following minor injuries. However, Turkish winger Gokhan Tore will be out for up to six weeks with a quadriceps injury. West Ham's head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke said: "Gokhan injured his quadriceps in training during the international break and is going to be out for four to six weeks." Sam Byram also suffered a significant hamstring injury in West Ham's last fixture against Middlesbrough and underwent an operation on Saturday to reduce the risk of re-injury. The pair will join record signing Andre Ayew, striker Andy Carroll and left back Arthur Masuaku on the treatment table. West Ham are 18th in the Premier League standings and will be aiming to secure a first league win since August when they travel to Selhurst Park for the London derby.

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Slaven Bilic says West Ham's new home is a 'great stadium'
By Mark Crellin
Last Updated: 13/10/16 1:22pm
SSN

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has scoffed at the notion his side are happy to be away from home this weekend rather than playing at the London Stadium. The Hammers have endured a difficult start to the 2016/17 season and are 18th in the Premier League, with just one win from their first seven games. And life at their new home ground, the former Olympic Stadium, has been blighted by incidents of crowd trouble and the grumblings of unhappy fans. However, Bilic disagreed with the suggestion the Hammers were relieved to be playing Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Make no mistake, we would rather play at home because there we feel the 60,000 people," said Bilic. "Of course it is not a relief, we would like to play Palace at home on Saturday. "The stadium is not a reason, the stadium is great. Many clubs changed stadiums and needed time to settle in, to get used to the stadium. "It is a great stadium but we have to win a few games to feel more at home."
Bilic also confirmed that an internal investigation into a squad night out last month remains ongoing. The Hammers boss told his players to go on a bonding session on the Monday night after the 3-0 loss at home to Southampton and pictures then surfaced on social media of striker Andy Carroll and goalkeeper Darren Randolph apparently still out, with users suggesting the pair appeared drunk. Blic subsequently promised an investigation but revealed on Thursday that there was nothing yet to report."It's still not over," he said. "It is an old story and it is not very important now. "It is not done yet. It is not easy, I can't do the investigation because it didn't happen on the pitch. "I'm going to react but it isn't done and I don't think about that at the moment, I am thinking about our next game. "I can only repeat what I said before, it was my decision. If they stepped out of the line of the rules of our club, they will be punished."

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Has Man United target Reece Oxford laughed off claims he's close to penning West Ham contract extension?
13:52, 13 OCT 2016 UPDATED 13:55, 13 OCT 2016
BY LIAM CORLESS
The 17-year-old has less than two years left to run on his current deal at the London Stadium and is being monitored by a host of Premier League clubs
The Mirror

Reece Oxford has seemingly laughed off claims he is about to commit his long-term future to West Ham. The 17-year-old, who is wanted by a host of top Premier League clubs including Manchester United, has less than two years left to run on his currently Hammers contract. Oxford tweeted earlier this week: "Been hearing some funny stuff recently." The tweet was accompanied by a laughing face emoji. There have been a number of reports in recent weeks suggesting Oxford is close to penning a new deal at the London Stadium.
Jose Mourinho's United are the frontrunners to land Oxford if he opts against signing a renewal in east London. Arsenal and Manchester City are also tracking the England Under-21 star.
Oxford made seven Premier League appearances last season, impressing in a 2-0 win at Arsenal on his top flight debut, but he's yet to play in the league so far this term.

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West Ham's Aaron Cresswell available for Crystal Palace trip as Slaven Bilic refuses to blame London Stadium for poor form
KEN DYER, GIUSEPPE MURO
Evening Standard

West Ham welcome back Aaron Cresswell for Saturday's visit to Crystal Palace. The left-back has been out since July when he tore knee ligaments in a friendly but is fit to return to a defence, which has leaked 17 goals this season — the most in the Premier League. "He's been training with us for a few weeks and he will be in the squad on Saturday," said manager Slaven Bilic. Cresswell is the only player likely to return since strikers Andy Carroll (knee) and Diafra Sakho (back) are still not ready. Bilic believes West Ham's injury toll has contributed to their poor start to the season with the club 18th in the table. "I am not looking for excuses but the injuries are definitely one reason why we didn't start like we wanted to," he said. "Some players are now coming back now, which is good news." The Croatian, however, refused to blame the problems at West Ham's London Stadium for the team's struggles. West Ham have won only one of their four League games at their new home and Bilic said: "The stadium is not the reason. The stadium is great but we will feel more at home if we win a few games. "I am very happy with the way we have trained during the international break and I am expecting a good performance from the players on Saturday. "Palace themselves didn't start well and only had one point in the first three games but since then they have picked up and probably they didn't want the international break."
Palace captain Scott Dann is set to return to the side on Saturday, having missed the past two games with a hamstring strain. The 29-year-old has been one of the most consistent defenders in the League in recent seasons and his presence will boost Palace, who are looking to extend their unbeaten run of four games. James Tomkins, who left West Ham for Palace in the summer, has partnered Damien Delaney in Dann's absence.

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Aaron Cresswell set to return to West Ham side this weekend but Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew are still out
Aaron Cresswell has not featured for West Ham this season through injury
Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew are making good progress
West Ham travel to Selhurst Park to face London rivals Crystal Palace
By ADAM SHERGOLD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 11:36, 13 October 2016 | UPDATED: 11:36, 13 October 2016

West Ham will be boosted by the return of Aaron Cresswell for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace - and long-term absentees Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew are making great strides in their comebacks. Left-back Cresswell has yet to feature this season after suffering a knee injury, while the other three have stepped up training ahead of a return to action in the coming weeks. The Hammers currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone, having taken four points from their opening seven matches, and have won just once in the league at their new London Stadium home, which has been beset by problems. But manager Slaven Bilic believes the unrest at the Hammers' new home, which has erupted into crowd trouble at each of their home games this season, will disappear when they start winning. He said: 'The stadium is not a reason [for their poor start], the stadium is great. Many clubs have changed stadiums and needed time to settle in, get used to the stadium.'We have to win a few games to feel more at home. Make no mistake, we would rather play at home [than at Selhurst Park] because there we feel the 60,000 people. Of course, it is not a relief [to be playing away]. We would like to play Palace at home on Saturday.' On the improving injury situation, Bilic added: 'During this international break, they worked hard and they've trained really hard. 'Aaron Cresswell is back, he has started training for a couple of weeks with the physios and the fitness coaches. He started to train and has had 10 days. He looks good, sharp, and will be in the squad.' Bilic, who still has half-a-dozen players on the sidelines despite Cresswell's return, believes West Ham's poor start is in part due to the bad injury situation. He said: 'I am not looking for excuses but definitely they are one of the reasons why we didn't start as we wanted to and we had the injuries from pre-season and a lot of them were long term. 'Now, a lot of the players are coming back and the injury list is not that big. Cresswell is already back and we are expecting a few of them to come back soon. 'A few like Ayew, Sakho, Carroll are still not fit but are closer. The spirit in the group and the shortening of the list of injuries is giving us belief and hope and optimism before the games.' Bilic said he has not yet completed his investigation into Andy Carroll and Darren Randolph allegedly drinking until the dawn after he granted them permission to have a meal out following the 3-0 home loss to Southampton in late September. He said: 'It is not easy, I can't do the investigation because it didn't happen on the pitch. I'm going to react but it isn't done and I don't think about that at the moment, I am thinking about the game.
'I can only repeat what I said, it was my decision. If they stepped out of the line of the rules of our club, they will be punished.'

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West Ham would be 'crazy' to sack Slaven Bilic despite poor start, says Wales boss Chris Coleman
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Wales manager Chris Coleman has warned West Ham that they would be "crazy" if they considered sacking Slaven Bilic after the club's calamitous start to the season. Expectations had been running high at West Ham after Bilic's first season in charge when his side challenged for Champions League football for much of the campaign and ultimately finished a creditable seventh.
That form has not been replicated in the new campaign, with the Hammers lying in the relegation zone after one win and one draw from their first seven matches of the season. West Ham have also crashed out of the Europa League, eliminated by Astra Giurgiu for the second year in a row. But Bilic should not be the one to pay the price for West Ham's current travails, according to Coleman. "If you look at Slaven he has managed big clubs, he has managed his country, he has been in tournaments. I think West Ham would be crazy to even think about going down that road," said Coleman on The Premier League Show. "He won't be surprised. People are starting to point fingers at him, where last year he was the best thing since sliced bread.
"This year they are in the bottom three, everyone is analysing everything and double analysing it. He's in the middle of that. The fingers are pointing at him but he's a strong enough character to come through that. He'll be ok…
"You can't just look at Slaven. He's the same manager that he was last year, the same way the team is the same as last year. They've got great players, they've just got to get it together, don't make any excuses and get on with the job." West Ham's move from the Boleyn Ground, their home of 112 years, to the London Stadium has not aided the club this season. A section of supporters have not failed to make clear their unhappiness over the departure from Green Street for Stratford. Coleman believes that the new stadium lacks the feel of Upton Park and will have an effect on West Ham's performance. "That old West Ham stadium when I played there, it was a special atmosphere and now it's completely different," he said. "The supporters are sitting in different areas compared to where they used to sit at the old ground."

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Crystal Palace's James Tomkins: It will be weird to face West Ham
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins admits it will be "weird" to line up against his former side West Ham at Selhurst Park this Saturday. Palace signed Tomkins, 27, on a five-year deal for £10million this summer after the defender was told he could have a reduced role at his boyhood club West Ham. Tomkins admitted his departure from the Hammers was tough, but insisted in August it was time for a new chapter in his career. The defender has since settled into Alan Pardew's side well and, ahead of the Eagles' clash with West Ham on Saturday evening, Tomkins admitted it will be "weird" to face his former club but said he is only focusing on helping Palace secure all three points. "I feel good and I think that just comes with playing more," Tomkins told the Croydon Advertiser about his form. "I have still only played two 90-minute games, so the fitness will come with that. "The more I play, the better I'll get, and I'm just trying to show what I can do. And results are going well for us. "It would have been nice if we had a game to play (last weekend), but it's just one of those things. "We can get some injured players back and up the fitness levels behind us, get more training and now we will be looking ahead to playing my old club. "It will be weird to play against them, but it's a game I'm looking forward to and a good one for us to come back in to after the break."
Slaven Bilic was today asked about Tomkins' departure from the club, which the West Ham manager admitted was a transfer he did not want to see happen. "I tried to explain the situation with James," Bilic said on Thursday. "I didn't want him to leave but I couldn't guarantee he would play every week."

West Ham United ✔ @WestHamUtd
SB: "I tried to explain situation with @TomkinsOfficial. I didn't want him to leave but I couldn't guarantee he would play every week.
10:14 AM - 13 Oct 2016

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Black Stars skipper Asamoah Gyan insists relationship with Andre Ayew is cordial
Published on: 13 October 2016
ghanasoccernet.com

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has quashed reports that he has a vendetta with Andre Ayew over the captaincy, insisting he has a cordial relationship with his deputy. Gyan is unhappy with speculations suggesting he is in a bitter quarrel with the West Ham star due to reports making rounds that Ayew is interested in taking over the leadership role in the team. The On-loan Al Ahli player is advising the public to desist from spreading false rumors which is very likely to bring a feud between two friends who are working hard together to help the nation chalk success. ''I don't have a problem with Andre. He has been my friend way back, since he joined the national team, I have been his inspiration,'' Gyan told Joy FM ''Sometimes people try to bring this rivalry between two Stars in the team. We have seen this before in the olden days but I always try to keep things real, I don't have any problem with Ayew. 'He's a great guy, a fighter on the field and plays with his heart. He added: ''My advice t people is to stop putting this rivalry between two players who are good to each other. People should stop because when they do that, It brings conflict to the team which there is unity and will not help the team.''

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West Ham trio return but Tore faces up to six weeks out
uk.reuters.com

West Ham United defenders Aaron Cresswell and Havard Nordtveit, and striker Jonathan Calleri have returned to full training but Turkish winger Gokhan Tore will be out for up to six weeks with a quadriceps injury, the club said on its website. Cresswell suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season but is set to return earlier than was initially expected, while Nordtveit and Calleri are also on the mend. "Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have all returned to full training," said Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham's head of Medical and Sports Science. "Gokhan injured his quadriceps in training during the international break and is going to be out for 4-6 weeks."
Tore will join club's record signing Andre Ayew, striker Andy Carroll and left back Arthur Masuaku on the treatment table. West Ham, who finished seventh last season, are 18th in the Premier League standings after seven matches and will be aiming to secure a first league win since August when they travel to London rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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Just how has it gone so wrong for West Ham this season, and how does Slaven Bilic fix it?
BY JJ Bull
13 OCTOBER 2016 • 9:05AM

It's not even November yet, and despite his heroics last season Slaven Bilic is already under pressure at West Ham. His team sits in 18th place, having shipped 17 goals in seven games and is clearly struggling to replicate the form that made them such a force in the Premier League in 2015/16. But why?

This might sound daft, but if anything, Clive, West Ham have almost had too much possession of the ball this season. Bilic likes to win games on the counter-attack and after seven games of last season this was abundantly clear, as his team enjoyed just 42 per cent possession.

That figure suggests, and backs up, that they spent most of the time patiently waiting for their opponent to make a mistake, rather than forcing their way through a defence with short passing football.

After the same number of games played this season, they have recorded an average of 47 per cent possession. It's not a huge amount, but fine margins make the difference in the Premier League and this marks a change in playing style.

Opposition teams are far more wary of the attacking threat posed by West Ham on the counter this season and as a result, don't mind sitting back and letting them keep the ball instead. Look how deep, and how many players behind the ball West Brom had during their 4-2 win at the Hawthorns:

Having more of the ball means West Ham have to create chances against better organised defences - this is almost certainly a key reason they've only scored eight goals so far this season. West Ham were the top scorers in the entire league at this same stage of last season, with 15.

Playing on the counter-attack means taking advantage of teams in transition, when defenders are caught out of position or there's a little indecision which results in space for forwards to exploit. Different teams start the "press" in different areas to suit different systems and players - Liverpool and Tottenham press with intensity high up the pitch, while last season's West Ham liked to win the ball in their own half, launching quick counter-attacks from deep.

Here's one they tried against Middlesbrough this season, where Bilic played Michail Antonio as the centre-forward.

The counter-attack starts from a bad Middlesbrough set-piece. Dimitri Payet is furthest forward, looks up, and plays in Antonio, who has dropped back to assist in defence but will get as high up the pitch as quickly as possible.

He does this, but the rest of West Ham's attacking players are nowhere near as fast and quickly Antonio becomes isolated with zero options to pass to other than backwards. Middlesbrough have kept men back to deal with the counter-attack threat and the move fizzles out.

Even when allowed to execute a play that worked so well and so regularly last season, West Ham aren't doing it very well. That might be because of the personnel available to put on the pitch.

Injury problems

Summer signing Andre Ayew suffered a cruel injury on the opening game of the season, Diafra Sakho is injured too, Andy Carroll is held together by glue and rubber bands, and Simone Zaza has been mostly useless since signing on loan from Juventus.

West Ham don't have many options upfront, which is why Antonio played the centre-forward role against Middlesbrough.

Antonio is naturally a wide player though and this causes problems as West Ham end up with five creative players behind the ball but nobody looking for it in front.

Below Antonio finds himself on the left wing, even though the left-back is also there. He has five players behind him who are all staring straight at two lines of defence. Middlesbrough are organised, sat deep near their own box and are looking to either draw West Ham in and hit them on the counter or simply keep the score at 0-0.

The player in the box is the defensive midfielder. Why?

The ball is swung into the box, Kouyate can't really make use of it and the attack peters out to nothing.

Either Bilic has deliberately changed the system to try and encourage the team to keep the ball more, or opponents realise the danger West Ham possess(ed) on the counter. This is an entirely different way of playing for West Ham and means their primary source of goal scoring opportunities is gone.

Another huge loss to the team is Aaron Cresswell, who despite being a defender, had created fewer chances to score than only Payet at this same stage last season.

Bad defending

Quite simply, West Ham's deeply disappointing start to the season really owes to them being terrible at defending. Already a goal down from a Nacer Chadli penalty, West Ham's centre-backs gave West Brom players far too much space in the box for their second goal in a 4-2 hiding. It's a recurring theme that their defenders aren't sharp enough, out of position and the midfield doesn't offer anywhere near enough protection. Cheikhou Kouyate in particular hasn't been as effective as he was last season and the back four is suffering as a result.
Salomon Rondon should categorically not have the space here that James Collins has given him. The defensive midfielder (hidden by the referee) also needs to be closer to the centre-back to eliminate the space between midfield and defence, the centre-backs both need to push out to limit that space further, and Collins should be so close to Rondon when he receives the ball that the striker cannot spin, face the goal, and shoot. That's exactly what he does. West Ham concede an entirely avoidable goal.

In the second half, at 3-0 down, they make an effort to get back into the match and go into all-out-attack mode, briefly forgetting that you can't win games if you have literally no-one except your goalkeeper defending. You can see above that West Ham are in possession and the ball is wide left of the box. What you might not notice on first glance is that every single one of their outfield players is in the box. Every single one. The cross is headed away at the near post and suddenly the team is in trouble. That's your Rondon there, being chased by attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini and holding midfielder Havard Nordtveidt. The defenders cannot be seen but they are just off screen, jogging back towards goal. Not working hard enough to recover from mistakes

Bizarrely, West Ham have made more interceptions than any other club in the league, making 169 compared to Burnley in second, who have made 125. They're doing something right in winning the ball back but as we've seen they are caught out on counter-attacks too easily, don't pose any real threat going forward other than the magic of Dimitri Payet and many talented players aren't maintaining their defensive discipline.

The way Middlesbrough won the corner that brought them their goal is an example of atrocious tracking back and poor organisation - West Ham aren't getting the basics right nor working hard enough to rectify these mistakes, something which must concern Bilic greatly.

Here, Adam Forshaw brings the ball out of defence after a failed West Ham attack. Three attackers stroll/jog back behind him, making no attempt to close him down whatsoever. Dimitri Payet, by the centre-circle, isn't expected to press anyone either - his job is to create, not defend.

Forshaw is able to run a good 30/40 yards in a straight line before chipping a ball over the top into the box, at which point West Ham's defence is - somehow - all over the place. Ogbonna is a centre-back playing at left-back, the right-back is nowhere to be seen, the midfield is miles away from the defence and nobody is sprinting back to help. Worse than that - they aren't in position in the first place.

West Ham have made the third lowest number of sprints per game in the league this season, at 453.4. By contrast, Liverpool (top of that particular table) have made 595 sprints per match. Does this show a lack of effort from West Ham's players? Or does it suggest that teams are sitting back and making West Ham pass the ball from side to side, thus stopping them from running?

Whatever the reason, they aren't going anywhere particularly quickly and Middlesbrough win a corner in the above example which they score from - more bad defending from a set piece.
Only a Dimitri Payet wondergoal rescued a point here and had he not decided to dribble past the entire Middlesbrough team on his own, West Ham very probably wouldn't have even managed a draw.

And there's the biggest problem of all...

A heavy dependence on Payet

It's wrong to say West Ham are a one-man team, but a disproportionate amount of their goal-scoring chances are created by Dimitri Payet. Having played in only five league games this season, he has already created 20 key chances for team-mates. The nearest to him is Mark Noble, who has created eight but has also played in all seven matches. The same was true of last season - after seven matches, Payet had created 26 chances while Aaron Cresswell was next on seven. Basically, West Ham rely on Payet far too much and if an opposition team can quiet him down and keep him out of most of the 90 minutes, it's likely that Bilic's team will find it very difficult to score.

Bilic tried to address this dependence on Payet in the summer, signing Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore - two attacking players who regularly created chances for their previous clubs. However, having too many creative, attacking forwards on the pitch leads to a lack of defensive discipline, and in trying to fix the Payet problem, West Ham have created a whole new one.

West Ham's season has been undone so far by bad injury luck, better organised opponents and what looks like a lack of defensive discipline and drive to rectify mistakes. Whether a hangover of the move to the London Stadium or a case of opponents sussing them out, West Ham are in a slump and need to change things quickly if they are to avoid a disastrous first season in their new home.

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West Ham forward Andre Ayew starts 'mini pre-season' as he steps up recovery from thigh injury
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham forward Andre Ayew has started a "mini pre-season" as he steps up his recovery from a serious thigh injury. Ayew joined West Ham from Swansea in a deal believed to be worth more than £20m but endured a disastrous start to his Hammers career. The Ghana international was substituted just 34 minutes into his Premier League debut for Slaven Bilic's side and is not expected to be available for the first-team until late November. But Ayew's rehabilitation is on track and he is stepping up his workload to ensure he can cope with the rigorous demands of top-flight football when he returns. "Andre Ayew is continuing his rehab from the thigh injury he suffered in the opening Premier League fixture at Chelsea in August," said Stijn Vandenbroucke, Head of Medical and Sports Science. "He is entering the stage, a mini pre-season, where he needs to get significant fitness work under his belt in order to cope with the demands of the Premier League and adapt to the new biomechanics following a significant injury, basically hard work day after day."

Having spent the majority of the summer searching for a marquee striker, Ayew's injury proved to be a significant blow as fellow summer signing Simone Zaza has made a slow start to his career in English football. West Ham have struggled for form in the early stages of the campaign and are currently languishing in the relegation zone. The east Londoners have won just one of their opening seven Premier League games and need to secure a positive result when they travel to Crystal Palace this weekend to pull clear of immediate danger.

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Man United boosted by Premier League youngster's dismissal: No new deal close
WEST HAM youngster Reece Oxford has snubbed suggestions he is close to agreeing a new deal, according to reports.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 05:15, Thu, Oct 13, 2016 | UPDATED: 05:39, Thu, Oct 13, 2016
Express.co.uk

Manchester United are keeping tabs on the 17-year-old with Jose Mourinho claimed to be a big fan. A number of other top Premier League sides have also been linked with the versatile centre-back, likened to Rio Ferdinand. As a result, the Hammers have been trying to tie Oxford down to a new extended contract. Slaven Bilic was even reportedly willing to get involved in order to secure the England Under-20 international's future at the London Stadium. However, following claims Oxford was edging nearer an agreement with the east London club, the Red Devils have been handed a boost in their ongoing pursuit. The youngster tweeted alongside rolling eyes and laughing emojis on Sunday night: "Been hearing some funny stuff recently".
And according to the Daily Mail, Oxford was directly referring to talk of his supposed new deal with West Ham. His current contract expires at the end of the 2017/18 season, with few first team opportunities handed to the rising star so far this term. United are apparently in pole position to land Oxford should he leave in the coming summer, although he is reportedly relaxed over his situation.

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On-loan West Ham United winger Martin Samuelsen hoping for more game time at Blackburn Rovers
Lancashire Telegraph

MARTIN Samuelsen is hoping to be given more of a chance to show what he can do at Blackburn Rovers. The teenage winger has made two substitute appearances in the Championship and one start in the EFL Cup since signing on a season-long loan from West Ham United in August. And, before he scored his first international goal for Norway on Tuesday, Samuelsen admitted he is aiming for more time on the pitch. Rovers, who are third from bottom after losing seven of their opening 11 games, return to action at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday. And Samuelsen, speaking to Norwegian media, said: "It has been a tough start, you can say, both for the team and for me. "There has been little playing time. I wish that I could have been involved more and contribute, to score and create goals, which is something I can do, but that's it. "The coach has a lot to think about and cannot go and talk to each player. I hope the turning point comes soon because I'm sure when I get to play I'm going to show what I can do."

West Ham have the option to recall Samuelsen in January.

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Chelsea frustrated over West Ham situation as fans suffer
CHELSEA are reportedly infuriated at how long their ticket allocation process is taking in the EFL Cup.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 05:00, Thu, Oct 13, 2016
Express.co.uk

Antonio Conte's side were drawn to face cross-town rivals West Ham in the fourth round of the competition. However, the clash at the London Stadium on October 26 is facing an array of issues - mostly for the visitors. Blues fans have been unable to buy tickets yet, despite the tie being less than two weeks away. And according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have been left feeling frustrated by the situation. Security problems and safety fears have seen West Ham willing to give the Blues less than their full allocation of seats. Up to 10 per cent of the capacity can be claimed by visitors in the cup, which would see Chelsea have 5,700 of the 57,000-seater stadium. But due to the infrastructure of the venue, West Ham are restricted to hosting only 5,200. The Football League are taking some time to approve the reduction, which is apparently expected to be granted at a meeting today. However, Chelsea fans will be left with little time to organise themselves for the fixture should they eventually pick up tickets. The draw was made three weeks ago, and West Ham supporters have been able to purchase their seats already. To avoid Chelsea fans taking tickets in the home section too, the Hammers are only selling to people who can show they've bought tickets within the past five years.
Police are still not going to be inside the ground either due to the radio signal problems, but there will be a presence outside in case of any potential trouble.

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Trevor Sinclair criticises Slaven Bilic following West Ham's dismal start to Premier League campaign
West Ham currently sit 18th in the Premier League after seven games
They haven't won in league since beating Bournemouth in second game
Trevor Sinclair says you have to look at Slaven Bilic for their poor start
West Ham face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening
By JONATHAN SPENCER FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 23:53, 12 October 2016 | UPDATED: 00:01, 13 October 2016

Former West Ham player Trevor Sinclair has criticised Slaven Bilic for the club's disappointing start to the new season. West Ham currently sit 18th in the Premier League after seven games, winning one match and losing five along the way. Speaking on The Premier League show, Sinclair believes Bilic is the man you have to point the finger at for their poor start and insists if West Ham don't start picking up points quickly, the move to the London Stadium could prove disastrous. Sinclair said: 'It's clear West Ham are not defending as well as last season. 'That needs to change but the players don't turn into bad players overnight, so who do you look at. You've got to look at the manager. '(He was) very entertaining over the summer covering the Euros, should he have been concentrating on the recruitment, which has not been great this season? 'You look at the next three games, huge games. If they don't start putting points on the board, this dream move to the London Stadium could turn into a nightmare.' Bilic worked as a pundit at Euro 2016 this summer but returned from France after the group stage. West Ham's next three league fixtures are against Crystal Palace away, Sunderland at home and Everton away. Worryingly for Hammers fans, Sinclair also stated that at the same stage last season, West Ham had covered plenty more ground. 'An interesting fact, this stage last season, West Ham were fifth in distance covered (791km), this time round they are 13th (756km). Are they as fit, are they working as hard, I'm not so sure.' Bilic will be desperate for victory against Palace on Saturday, having not won in the league since their second game of the season against Bournemouth.

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Manchester United target Reece Oxford rubbishes claims that he is set to sign new deal with West Ham
Reece Oxford's current deal with West Ham runs out at end of next season
The 17-year-old laughed off speculation that he is close to signing new deal
Oxford wrote on Twitter: 'Been hearing some funny stuff recently'
The West Ham starlet has been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal
By DAVID KENT FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:17, 12 October 2016 | UPDATED: 01:47, 13 October 2016

Reece Oxford has scoffed at suggestions he is close to signing a new contract at West Ham. The Hammers wonderkid has taken to social media to laugh off speculation he is likely to pen fresh terms. Having seen the reports, the 17-year-old tweeted: 'Been hearing some funny stuff recently'. And Sportsmail can reveal Oxford was directly referring to talk of a pending new deal at the London Stadium. His current deal is due to expire at the end of next season, but as Oxford has indicated, no agreement over an extension is close. Manchester United are in pole position to land the talented teenager if he decides to leave at the end of the season. But Oxford laughed off speculation and tweeted: 'Been hearing some funny stuff recently'
Arsenal and Manchester City are also interested in the central defender, who can also play in centre midfield. Initial talks over a new Hammers deal took place over the summer but the hierarchy were unable to settle the matter. Those talks have since stagnated; Oxford is understood to be relaxed about the situation even though there are no signs the impasse will be resolved anytime soon.

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Jonathan Calleri return to first-team training ahead of Crystal Palace game
SAM LONG
Evening Standard

West Ham have received a fitness boost ahead of this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace as Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have all returned to full training. The Hammers have endured a difficult start to the season and are currently languishing in the relegation zone with just four points to their name. Injuries to key players has played a part in Slaven Bilic's side's slow start but the Croatian manager could welcome back several much-needed options at Selhurst Park. Cresswell suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season but is set to return significantly earlier than his initial prognosis suggested while Nordtveit and Calleri are also on the mend. "We will start with the positive news this week, which is that Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have all returned to full training," said Stijn Vandenbroucke, West Ham's Head of Medical and Sports Science. "Aaron was injured in a pre-season match with Karlsruhe in Austria in July, while Havard is back in training after undergoing a small medical procedure, while Jonathan has had a minor injury."
Cresswell's imminent return is a timely one for West Ham as Arthur Masuaku - who was signed to provide cover for the Englishman - is now set for a spell on the sidelines himself.
The French full back has suffered a knee injury but the extent of his problem will be assessed next week. "Arthur Masuaku is progressing very well after suffering a knee injury in the EFL Cup tie with Accrington Stanley. "Arthur will have the brace removed from his knee early next week, after which we will progress to the next step in his rehabilitation," he added.
Co-chairman David Gold suggested earlier this month Andy Carroll would be available for the trip to south London but the striker has not yet returned to first-team training.

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Real Madrid plans prove how well West Ham have done for the Olympic Stadium
HITC
Damien Lucas

Proof that West Ham United's transformation of the Olympic Stadium into a football arena has been good value for Britain has emerged from Real Madrid. A woeful start to the season and life at their new 60,000 seater home has left morale on the pitch and in the stands at a new low. Fighting among fans and safety fears at the ground as well as a perceived lack of the famous intimidating Hammers atmosphere from Upton Park has seen the stadium switch cited by many as a reason for the club's contrast in fortunes compared to their fantastic campaign last term. Five defeats from the first seven Premier League games is the club's worst ever start to a season and Bilic's side were also unceremoniously dumped out of Europe in qualifying too. The club finds itself at the centre of a new negative story each week with the spotlight firmly fixed over East London following the move into such an iconic ground.
Fears that the huge stadium would turn into an expensive white elephant once the dust had settled on the London 2012 Olympics were seemingly allayed when the Premier League side were handed the keys to the iconic ground as anchor tenants in 2013. But legal challenges to have the decision thrown out from the likes of fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur and fellow East Londoners Leyton Orient marred the process and saw the Hammers' legitimacy to take over the running of the stadium called into question. The relatively small amount of money the Hammers had to pay towards conversion costs to make it a suitable as a football stadium has also received negative publicity. The £190 million transformation took to the total cost of the venue to £701 million - out of which the country got an Olympic Games, a Rugby World Cup, a Premier League football ground and retained its athletic and Olympic legacy. As part of the work West Ham installed an impressive cantilevered roof - which measures some 84 metres at its deepest point - and is the longest of its type in the world, covering every seat in the stadium.
Contrast that to approved plans in Spain at the mighty Real Madrid where they are set to spend an eye-watering £360m just to fit a new roof. The La Liga giants will add a retractable roof to the Santiago Bernabeu after finally reaching an agreement with the city to remodel the stadium, as reported by Sky Sports. Madrid president Florentino Perez revealed the project would cost £360m - more than half the cost of the Olympic Stadium and its subsequent transformation. It gives food for thought to critics of West Ham's move to the stadium, with whom co-owner David Sullivan is growing increasingly fed up, as reported by the club's official website.

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http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Daily WHUFC News - 13th October 2016

Reid targets Russia 2018
WHUFC.com

Winston Reid captained New Zealand to fine 1-1 draw with United States in Washington DC
West Ham United defender returned to international duty after a 13-month absence
Defender is targeting a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia

Winston Reid believes New Zealand can qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals after producing two fine performances on their US Tour. The All Whites pushed Mexico all the way before falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat in Nashville, before holding the United States to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Washington DC. Captain Reid, who was appearing for New Zealand for the first time in 13 months, was impressed by Anthony Hudson's squad and believes his national team can replicate their achievement from 2010, when the West Ham United star scored and helped his country to three group-stage draws in South Africa. "First and foremost it has been nice seeing everyone again," said Reid, who has 20 caps. "The team has been doing well. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. "In the short space of time that we have had in the past week or so together the team has come together from all four corners of the world and the main thing is we went out there, we had a game plan and we stuck to it. "At the end of the day the most important thing is to see we are improving as a group."

Reid, who became a national hero after scoring a late equaliser against Slovakia at the 2010 World Cup, is excited by his country's future prospects after seeing the improvements they have made under English manager Hudson over the past year. "If we continue down these lines it will be very good," he said. "We need to learn from the mistakes we make and continue on doing well. Rome wasn't built in one day so we need to take it one step at a time, keep humble and work hard. "We have learnt from day one when Anthony first took over the group that we need belief in not only ourselves but also our peers and work hard. That is the core ethic of this group, be humble and don't take anything for granted."

Next up for New Zealand, who won the regional OFC Nations Cup in June, is an Oceania World Cup qualifying double-header with New Caledonia next month. The All Whites host the first meeting at North Harbour Stadium on 12 November, just a few miles from his birthplace in the Auckland suburb of North Shore, before travelling to Kone for the return tie three days later.
New Zealand's Round 3 Group A also consists of Fiji, who they will take on home and away in 2017, with the winner going through to a two-legged play-off with Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands or Tahiti. Win that, and the All Whites will face the fifth-placed South American nation home and away for a place in Russia. "It's going to be good," said Reid, whose last game on home soil was actually for West Ham on their 2014 pre-season tour. "It's been a long time since I've been back home so it's something I'll look forward to. "We all want to come back and play on home soil. It's not often we get to do that, so it's definitely something that I'm personally relishing. "It's a big moment for us. I think the way forward is for us to get a big crowd and hopefully they'll be there to cheer us on and give us the support we need."

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Loan pair on target in World Cup qualifying
WHUFC.com

Martin Samuelsen got on the Norway scoresheet for the first time against San Marino on Tuesday
The youngster, in FIFA World Cup qualifying action, was making only his third senior appearance for the side
Meanwhile Enner Valencia grabbed a brace for Ecuador against Bolivia in South American qualifying

Hammers winger Martin Samuelsen scored his first international goal at senior level on Tuesday, finding the back of the net in his Norway side's 4-1 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory over San Marino. The 19-year-old, who is currently on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, bagged the hosts' third strike on just his third cap, cutting into the box on the right hand side and firing low under the keeper following a clever dummy. Norway had previously been struggling against their minnow opponents, who equalised nine minutes into the second period after Norway had previously taken an eleven minute lead through an own goal. Incredibly, it was the visitors' first away World Cup qualifying goal for 15 years, but Norway were sure to spoil the party, getting back in front through Hull City forward Adama Diomande. Bournemouth attacker Joshua King – a former player of Samuelsen's Rovers – rounded off the scoring with seven minutes remaining. The victory was Norway's first in Group C following defeats to Germany and Azerbaijan previously.

Also in scoring action during World Cup qualifying was Ecuador forward Enner Valencia who is currently on loan at Everton. Taking on Bolivia away from home in the South American Group, the visitors were two behind by 43 minutes thanks to goals from Pablo Escobar. Just two minutes into the second half, Valencia halved the deficit, smashing home from six yards out to give the Yellows hope, and one minute from time, they were level. Following a defensive mix-up on the right hand side of the box, the ball broke to Valencia who fired in at pace on the swivel to give Ecuador a point and keep them in the automatic qualifying spots in the Group.

Elsewhere, there was friendly defeat for Doneil Henry's Canada as they were beaten 4-0 by Morocco, however the defender did not feature.

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Sears - London Stadium can be special
WHUFC.com

Lifelong Hammer Freddie Sears came through the Academy of Football before scoring on his debut against Blackburn Rovers as an 18-year-old in March 2008. After 58 first-team appearances, Sears joined Colchester United and is now a regular starter for Championship club Ipswich Town.

Hello everyone,

I'm a lifelong West Ham fan and I'm hoping to get down to see another game at our new home soon. I came to the Astra game in the Europa League and I like the new Stadium. I went down there with five or six mates and it was like a trip to Wembley. It was the first time most of us had seen the Stadium and it is lovely. The move is brilliant for the Club going forward and now it's about getting the results and making people happy. It was a European night and there weren't many away fans, so the atmosphere was a bit different from a big Premier League game, when I'm sure it will be rocking. Everyone knows Upton Park was a special place and it's going to take a while for people to get over it, but hopefully we've got some good times coming, we'll push up the league and everyone will forget about everything else. Upton Park was a special place, and I'm sure the London Stadium can be special as well. I left West Ham in 2012 and joined Colchester, where they gave me the chance to play regularly and get my career on an upward curve again. I did quite well there and luckily enough Ipswich Town came in for me, a good Championship team, in January last year and I'm really enjoying it here. I've only missed three or four games out of 70-odd since I joined, so I've been playing regularly and it's nice to feel important. When you're in a team and know you're going to play, it gives you confidence, so it's been good. The Championship is a tough league. You can win or lose every week, and you seem to spend the whole season five points from the Play-Offs and five points off relegation. There are some massive clubs in there, it's like a mini Premier League, and some of them can't get anywhere near the promotion places. I have been playing on the left wing this season, but I still see myself as a centre forward, as I was when I came through the ranks at West Ham. In football nowadays, teams prefer to play one up front, so you don't see two strikers playing together too often. Talking of West Ham, I can't look back on my time playing for my Club as anything other than a good time. I can't believe it is eight-and-a-half years since my debut, when I was lucky enough to come on and score against Blackburn.
I still remember it. I had been travelling around for ages with the first-team squad alongside Jack Collison and James Tomkins waiting for a chance to play. We were all in the same position, really. I was on the bench for the team I supported and it was crazy. The manager told me to warm-up and I was going on and I came on with about 15 minutes to go. I remember I came on and made a tackle, which was probably the only tackle I've made in my life! The game is pretty much a blur, but I remember Dean Ashton back-heeled it and my shot was saved by Brad Friedel and followed up to score the rebound. I have watched it back and it's something nobody can ever take away from me – I've scored in the Premier League for West Ham and it's a brilliant feeling. West Ham is my team, so theirs is the first result I look for after our game. It's been nearly five years since I left and there are only really Mark Noble and Winston Reid left of the players I knew. Tonks was also there until recently and West Ham will come up against him at Crystal Palace on Saturday. They paid good money for him and we all know what a good defender Tonks is, and Alan Pardew has taken him and he's fitted in straight away. I had my first loan spell from West Ham at Palace and it was great. It was a real eye-opener to proper football, playing there under Neil Warnock, but what I'll always be remembered for there was my 'ghost' goal against Bristol City, which hit the net and the advertising board and bounced out and wasn't given! It's a good club and it's good to see them doing well, and it's going to be a tough game for West Ham, but they need a result. I'm going to sit on the fence and say it will be a draw!

Freddie

The opinions and views expressed in his article are not necessarily shared by West Ham United.

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Hammers surprise London Stadium Tour guests
WHUFC.com

A number of West Ham United supporters were treated to a special London Stadium Tour surprise recently as four first team players delighted the guests with an appearance at the Club's new home. Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Cheikhou Kouyate and Ashley Fletcher were on hand to surprise supporters of the Club who are terminally ill as they enjoyed the Stadium Tour with their friends and family. The fans were able to meet the Hammers, get their merchandise signed, have photos taken and pick their brains about anything West Ham United. On the Tour, Hammers fans can go behind the scenes at the Club's magnificent new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
With an interactive, multimedia tour guide to lead the way, supporters can see how the home of the London 2012 Olympic Games became the stunning new home of West Ham United. You can check out the home dressing room, walk down the tunnel onto the pitch and see the Stadium through the eyes of Slaven Bilic with a seat in the dugout. And ahead of half term, supporters can book their place on a London Stadium Tour now, with all season ticket holders receiving 10 per cent off as part of an offer which ends on 31 December 2016.

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Dicks praises positive move for Ladies
WHUFC.com

West Ham United Ladies have now joined the West Ham family at the Club
Former Ladies team manager Julian Dicks thinks the move will be only positive for the side
The ex-Hammers left-back believes problems the team formerly faced will no longer exist

Following the news that West Ham United Ladies will now be run in-house at the Club, Hammers coach and former Ladies team manager Julian Dicks expressed his delight at the move. The Hammers side, who currently play in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division, enter the West Ham family during FA Girls' Football Week and will now run alongside the rest of the Club's teams. Former Hammers left-back Dicks, who coached the side during the 2014/15 season before joining Slaven Bilic's first team backroom staff, thinks the move will be a huge positive for the Ladies. He said: "For me, it's fantastic news. It can't not be a positive move for them. Taking them in house, sorting all the problems they have faced out, it will all help. "I tried to get it to happen two years ago [when I was coach], but the timing wasn't right. It's brilliant news now, especially for the girls, and they'll get looked after now. "Any problems they were experiencing should now be solved because they will have professional people running the team. It's not just about chucking money at it; it's about doing things right, getting the right kind of players and the right kind of staff in."

The Ladies have endured a tough start to the season this campaign, winning just one of their ten matches, but Dicks believes the move can be a turning point for the side. "The ambition now for the side [is to kick on]," the ex-defender said. "Manchester City [for example] put a lot of money into their girls and hopefully in time that will be something that will happen at West Ham. "There's no reason they couldn't go on and play in the Super League. For me, even when I took over, it's about progression and getting the right players in. It isn't going to happen overnight, and like most things in football, it will take time. "It could take two, three or five seasons, but it's about progression every season. As long as they do that, the future looks bright."

During his time overseeing the Ladies outfit, Dicks admitted he faced difficulties which he hopes can now be solved under the new setup. "There were problems I encountered," he continued. "For every 5,000 men that play football, there are probably five women. "There are plenty of teams looking for their signature. It's difficult to attract the better players. With the squad I had, we finished sixth and it was fantastic. "When I was coach, of course this was something I would have liked to happen in that time. We spoke about it when I first took over. It will be much easier [now]. "Taking them in house, sorting all the problems like the pitches they play on, the facilities they train in and the coaches to take them to games, it will all help. It's fantastic news."

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From the Treatment Room
WHUFC.com

Head of Medical and Sports Science Stijn Vandenbroucke issues an update – in association with Spire Roding Hospital...

Hello everyone,

We will start with the positive news this week, which is that Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit and Jonathan Calleri have all returned to full training. Aaron was injured in a pre-season match with Karlsruhe in Austria in July, while Havard is back in training after undergoing a small medical procedure, while Jonathan has had a minor injury.

Arthur Masuaku is progressing very well after suffering a knee injury in the EFL Cup tie with Accrington Stanley. Arthur will have the brace removed from his knee early next week, after which we will progress to the next step in his rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, Sam Byram and Gokhan Tore have both suffered injuries since the last From the Treatment Room was published. Sam suffered a significant hamstring injury in the early stages of our Premier League fixture with Middlesbrough. He has seen a specialist and underwent an operation on Saturday to reduce the risk of a re-injury and ensure he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.

Gokhan injured his quadriceps in training during the international break and is going to be out for 4-6 weeks.

Andre Ayew is continuing his rehab from the thigh injury he suffered in the opening Premier League fixture at Chelsea in August. He is entering the stage, a mini pre-season, where he needs to get significant fitness work under his belt in order to cope with the demands of the Premier League and adapt to the new biomechanics following a significant injury, basically hard work day after day. You will have seen that Andre travelled to his home country of Ghana, where he and Ashley Fletcher spent two days promoting the Club and principal partner Betway. Myself and first-team sports scientist Tom Taylor travelled with the players to Ghana, where Andre continued his rehab with me on the pitch and in the gym. We also took the opportunity to share some of our methods with local coaches and give a training session to some promising young footballers, which added to the experience of visiting a fascinating country.

Diafra Sakho is also undertaking his own pre-season, working very hard on his fitness levels with a view to join the squad on the pitch.

And finally, Andy Carroll is continuing his rehab following the knee injury he suffered in the UEFA Europa League tie in Romania in August. He is working as hard as he can on the pitch and in the gym, making progress. Andy has a few bridges to cross before he can join in first team training.

Stijn Vandenbroucke
Head of Medical and Sports Science

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Parfitt-Williams - I'm fit and ready
WHUFC.com

West Ham PL2 striker Djair Parfitt-Williams hopes to help his team climb the table in the coming weeks
The Bermudan is now fully fit having recovered from an injury which kept him out of action during the summer
Parfitt-Williams was instrumental as the Hammers lifted the Premier League Cup last season

West Ham Premier League 2 striker Djair Parfitt-Williams revealed he is fully fit and ready to push for a starting place in Terry Westley's outfit this season.
The Bermudan forward, who spent the majority of the summer recovering from a pelvis injury, is now back in action for the U23 side and played in their recent clashes against Brighton and Hove Albion and Wycombe Wanderers. Having scored eight times for the Development Squad last season, Parfitt-Williams is keen to get back on the scoresheet this campaign after a tough off-season break. He said: "My main target now is to push on and try and play as many games for the Academy sides as possible and push towards that first team or go and get out on loan somewhere "It was obviously difficult being injured over the summer. It was mentally really hard seeing everyone getting great opportunities with the first team, training with them, but I just wanted to encourage everyone. "I knew I would come back soon and be able to be involved."

The Development Squad enjoyed a positive campaign last season, topping off the term by winning the Premier League Cup after a two-legged final tie with Hull City which the Hammers eventually won on penalties. Parfitt-Williams was key to the side's success in the competition, scoring four goals including the first leg's only goal against the Tigers, and he believes the side could enjoy similar achievements this year. "Hopefully we can do well [in the Premier League Cup again this season]," he continued. "Every game and every cup we play in, I will just be trying to do my best for the team. "I mean, if goals come, that's a plus, but it's all about the team for me. "I did well in front of goal last season, so of course the target is to do so again this year. I personally think that it's the most important thing for a player in my position, to go and score goals. So, that's the big target."

West Ham PL2 next face Aston Villa away from home on Monday after a period without a game due to the international break. With the side third in the table, just one point off Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion above them, Parfitt-Williams hopes to establish his place in the side once again to help his team push on.
"Hopefully I can be pushing to start for the upcoming games," he said. "I'm fit to play now. "I need to work hard in training so that the manager can pick me."

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Simone Zaza set for West Ham exit as Valencia eye January move for Juventus striker
21:54, 12 OCT 2016 UPDATED 22:02, 12 OCT 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
The Italian international has struggled to make an impact during his loan spell with the Hammers and could make an early exit
The Mirror

Simone Zaza could be on his way out of West Ham - less than two months after joining. Valencia boss Cesare Prandelli is keen on the Italy striker who is on a season-long loan at West Ham. Zaza has struggled to settle at West Ham who have a clause in his contract to make the transfer a £10m permanent deal if he plays enough games. But former Italy boss Prandelli is keen to try and do a January deal while Napoli are also watching developments. West Ham boss Slaven Bilic claimed that he had spent a year trying to sign Zaza but the 25-year-old - who is on loan from Juventus - has yet to score. But if the deal does not work out then it would be a blow for Bilic who was hoping he would be a big lift for his squad. West Ham have made a poor start to the season, have managed just one win this season and Bilic is beginning to feel the pressure.

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West Ham's Sofiane Feghouli discusses transfer decision, claims Bilic has wanted him for years
HITC
Olly Dawes

Sofiane Feghouli has discussed his decision to join West Ham over the summer. West Ham United winger Sofiane Feghouli has told the club's official website that his decision to join the club over the summer wasn't a difficult one. Despite having great attacking players in Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio last season, manager Slaven Bilic moved to bring in more options for his attacking midfield roles. Even before snapping up Gokhan Tore on loan from Besiktas and Andre Ayew from Swansea City, Bilic swooped to land winger Sofiane Feghouli on a free transfer from Valencia. The former Grenoble starlet, 26, hit 31 goals in 202 games for La Liga side Valencia before his contract expired at the end of last season – and West Ham swooped to sign him on a three-year deal. So far, Feghouli has endured a stop-start opening to his West Ham career; he may have scored his first goal for the club in a Europa League tie against Domzale in August, but has played just 90 minutes of Premier League action having struggled for form and fitness. The Algerian international will be hoping to kick on and live up to his billing over the coming months, and has now discussed his decision to leave Valencia and join West Ham. Feghouli told the club's official website that his decision 'wasn't too difficult', as he wanted to play in the Premier League, and knew that he wanted to join the club after speaking to manager Bilic. The wide man added that he knows Bilic has wanted him for years, and the Croatian knows how to get the best out of him as a result. "It wasn't too difficult to come to my decision," said Feghouli. "I was coming to the end of my contract at Valencia and for various reasons, we were unable to renegotiate and so, I needed to find a new club and consider the offers that were being made. "I wanted to give the Premier League a go because it's one of the best leagues in the world and attracts so much attention from around the world. I knew about West Ham and I had heard a lot about the passion of the fans. After speaking to the manager and listening to his project, it was an easy decision for me to join the Club." "Slaven has followed me for a couple of seasons and so he knows how I play and where best to play me for the good of the team," he added.

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West Ham co-owner David Sullivan 'fed up with negative campaigning against London Stadium'
JAMES BENGE
Evening Standard

Co-owner David Sullivan says that West Ham are the subject of "negative campaigning" against the London Stadium. The club's move from the Boleyn Ground, their home of 112 years, to Stratford during the summer has been defined by struggles on the pitch – Slaven Bilic's side are 18th in the table and out of the Europa League – and discontent among fans in the stands.
Though the London Stadium provides the club with the financial muscle to compete with rivals in the capital and the rest of the Premier League supporters are yet to embrace the ground, with a section of supporters chanting "we should have stayed at the Boleyn" during the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough before the international break. Five fans were arrested in clashes outside the ground following the match. West Ham have said that any supporters found to have engaged in violence will receive lifetime bans. "I have to say I am getting increasingly fed up with the negative campaigning against the stadium by some sections of the media," Sullivan wrote on the club website. "I find it particularly galling when the journalists who are writing these skewed opinions have not even been to the stadium! "Reading some write ups they give a very different impression of the Stadium to that which is being reported by people who have actually been there. "To put it into perspective at the Middlesbrough game there were five arrests - ALL outside the stadium in the public park. It has not yet been confirmed which of these supporters are West Ham United fans. "However, I fully accept that's too many and we are in the process of identifying and banning these supporters in line with our zero tolerance policy. "I prefer to listen to the hundreds and hundreds of emails I am getting from supporters who love the new stadium, love that we have made football affordable, and I am very proud that we have 25,000 families inside the stadium, many new to football – this is the future of West Ham's support and this is the reason we made the move in the first place.
"Things will calm down shortly and it will all be helped when we start to win a few games." West Ham host their first London derby at their new home on October 26, welcoming Chelsea in the EFL Cup four days after a Premier League game with Sunderland at the London Stadium. Sullivan confirmed that tickets would only be available to those who had attended a match in the last five years. Chelsea have also been told they may not receive their full allocation, 5,700, for the match as there remain logistical issues in the London Stadium's away end.

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West Ham's Adrian leads the praise for Joe Hart after stunning England performance in Slovenia
VAISHALI BHARDWAJ
Evening Standard

West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was full of praise for Joe Hart after the England shot-stopper made a string of fine saves to help the Three Lions secure a point in Slovenia on Tuesday.
Hart, who is spending the season on loan at Torino after being deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City, put in a man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup qualifier in Ljubljana, which ended 0-0. The 29-year-old first came to Eric Dier's aid after he raced out to retrieve the Tottenham midfielder's backpass which had been intercepted by the opposition before making a phenomenal stop to keep out Jasmin Kurtic's header. Such were his heroics that Hammers goalkeeper Adrian took to Twitter during England's game to hail Hart and his performance in Slovenia. "Joe Hart. #Onfire #Respect #goalkeeper," he wrote on the social media website.

Former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman was also full of praise for Hart, writing on Twitter: Great performance Joe Hart!!#MOM".

Speaking about his own performance after the game, Hart admitted he put his body on the line to help England salvage a draw but revealed it was probably his best game for the national side for some time.

Adrián San Miguel ✔ @AdriSanMiguel
Joe Hart🙌🏻⚽️🔥🔥🔥#Onfire #Respect #goalkeeper
9:14 PM - 11 Oct 2016

David Seaman ✔ @thedavidseaman
Great performance Joe Hart!!#MOM
9:38 PM - 11 Oct 2016

Alec Stewart ✔ @StewieCricket
Joe Hart showing why the ability of a goalkeeper to be able to use his hands and not just his feet is rather important! #greatsaves
9:00 PM - 11 Oct 2016

Rio Ferdinand ✔ @rioferdy5
Bit behind on the #SLOENG as had to pause... That save from Joe Hart 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
8:57 PM - 11 Oct 2016

"[It was] my best one [England game] in a while," Hart told ITV Sport. "My body is in absolute pieces. I think I'm going to struggle to get up tomorrow. I just did everything I could to keep it out. "I don't know what happened. I've just seen it [the replay] now - it hurt though!"

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What a talent we have... David Gold sends message on Twitter to West Ham teenager Martin Samuelsen
HITC
Olly Dawes

Martin Samuelsen scored his first goal for Norway in a 4-1 win over San Marino this evening. West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has taken to Twitter to congratulate teenager Martin Samuelsen for scoring his first goal for Norway this evening. As the international break draws to an end, Norway were in action against San Marino tonight at the Ullevaal Stadion in Olso – and avoided a potential upset. Davide Simoncini's own goal set Norway on their way in the first half, but minnows San Marino stunned the world when Mattai Stefanelli equalised in the second half. With 15 minutes to go, Norway were being held to a 1-1 draw, and were set for embarrassment before Hull's Adama Diomande, West Ham's Martin Samuelsen and Bournemouth's Joshua King struck within five minutes to clinch a 4-1 win. For 19-year-old playmaker Samuelsen, it was his first goal for Norway in just his second cap as he continues to demonstrate his huge talent. The teenager, snapped up by West Ham from Manchester City back in the summer of 2015, is currently out on loan at Championship side Blackburn Rovers, but looks to have a huge future ahead of him at West Ham. After the final whistle in Oslo, West Ham's co-chairman David Gold took to Twitter to offer a congratulatory message to Samuelsen for his maiden international goal. Gold summed up how West Ham feel about Samuelsen by saying 'what a talent we have' – and fans will hope to see him banging in Premier League goals over the coming years.

David Gold ✔ @davidgold
Congratulations Martin @samuelseen first goal for Norway. What a talent We have. @WestHamUtd @WestHamSocial @ExWHUemployee dg
10:10 PM - 11 Oct 2016

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Arsenal defender: How West Ham move helped me grow up
Express.co.uk
By CHARLIE PHILLIPPE
PUBLISHED: 07:39, Wed, Oct 12, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:47, Wed, Oct 12, 2016

Jenkinson spent the last two seasons with the Hammers, before returning to Arsenal with a cruciate ligament injury in January. The 24-year-old finally returned to training at the end of last month after his long injury lay-off. And he insists his time spent with West Ham was beneficial not only for his career but also in his personal development. "I've definitely grown up a lot in the last couple of years," Jenkinson told Arsenal.com. "I like to think I've always been quite a mature lad but just learning how to deal in everyday life with certain situations, I think I've matured a lot. "I think on the pitch I'm better at making decisions and it comes with experience. "I've played a lot of football over the last couple of years for someone my age. "I've played 50 odd games in the Premier League, which was fantastic for me. That experience is invaluable."

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IS ZAZA TO EXIT IN JANUARY? WILL HE BE ACCOMPANIED BY OTHERS OUT THE DOOR?
By S J Chandos 12 Oct 2016 at 08:00
WTID

It has been reported by a Spanish media source that La Liga side, Valencia, are preparing a bid to sign Simone Zaza in the January transfer window. Obviously, West Ham are currently in the driving seat with a £5m season long loan agreement and the option to sign the Italian international permanently for a further £20m fee. However, Zaza's indifferent start to his West Ham career has meant that the club may be prepared to end the deal early and allow Juventus and Valencia strike an alternative deal in the winter transfer window. Much depends on whether Zaza can convince the Hammers to sign him in the remaining 10 games before the permanent deal clause in the loan agreement is activated?

So, it looks as if West Ham could have a handy 'get out' if Zaza continues to disappoint. If he does leave, the question is will Zaza be the only one out the door in January? The form of fellow loanees, Tore and Calleri, has been equally disappointing. Apart from his assist for the winner against Bournemouth, Tore has shown little to suggest that the Turkish international has what it takes to make an impact in the PL. While, the Argentinian striker has emulated Zaza in failing to find the back of the net so far this season. Although in fairness to Calleri, unlike Zaza, he has consistently got into goal scoring positions and one could argue that he has been slightly unfortunate not to have broken his PL duck. But nevertheless, neither loanee has hitherto 'pulled up any trees.' But the likelihood is, all things being equal, that both Tore and Calleri will remain with the club for the remainder of their season long loan period. After that is completed, it is unlikely that, on current form, the club will sanction a £13m permanent deal for Tore and, my understanding is that, there is no clause for a permanent deal for Calleri, even if West Ham wished to pursue it.

Of the other summer signings, Feghouli and Ayew have suffered injuries that have limited their first team appearances and Arthur Masuaku has now suffered the same fate. Although Masuaku has clearly struggled with pace of the PL, once he adapts he should be a reasonable deputy for Cresswell. Similarly, it could be argued that Nordtvelt also needs to adapt his game to the greater pace/aggression of the PL. When he does, likewise, he will eventually make a positive impact. Nordtvelt's distribution and ability to pick out a pass is a real strength, but he needs to 'step up to the plate' in the defensive midfield/ball winning aspect of the role. Currently, Obiang looks the stronger option in that latter respect. And there is no doubt that Obiang was one of the major successes in the draw against Middlesboro and should continue in the role in the Palace away match. While Alvaro Arbeloa is undoubtedly a player, with substantial top level experience with Liverpool, Real Madrid and the Spanish national side. Once he raises his match fitness, he can bring vital experience and defensive leadership skills to the right-back position. His free transfer signing could be vital, especially in light of Byram's recent injury. Finally, Fletcher and Fernandes have looked very promising in their early first team appearances and Martinez is demonstrating his goal scoring ability in the U-23s. Indeed, if the young Spaniard continues with this type of goal scoring form it will not be too long before he also forces his way in to Bilic's first team plans.

So, it is an understatement to say that the performances of our new summer additions have been variable. But injuries have been a major contributing factor and I have no doubt that the likes of Ayew and Feghouli are class players, who will eventually make a positive contribution. The big successes this season are arguably two of the stars of the previous campaign, Antonio and Payet. Payet's creativity and vision is crucial and where would we be without his and Antonio's goals? We also need to see Lanzini continue his midfield play-making partnership with Payet and Carroll & Sakho return to fitness. Carroll gives us another option and, in my option, Sakho is the best all-round centre-forward at the club. Not only does Sakho know how to convert chances, but his industry and skilful leading of the line adds cohesion to our forward line and brings our midfielders in to play. I would dearly love to see Sakho overcome his previous differences with the club and dedicate himself to competing for a starting place. That requires 'give and take' on both sides and, if his attitude, fitness and form are good, the club should offer the Senegalese international a new, improved contract.

The major plus points from the Middleboro draw were the greater efficiency of the defence, with Ogbonna at left-back and Collins, Reid and Arbeloa forming an improved rearguard and the performances of Obiang, as the midfield anchor, and, of course, Payet. With Antonio continuing to perform in his preferred wide role and Lanzini coming back to form, there is cause for real optimism. But as I indicated in last week's 'Al Pacino' column, it is about each player doing their jobs, raising their individual performances, winning the 50/50 balls and improving the margins to deliver a significantly improved team performance. We have the players to do it and we will only get stronger once the absentees return. Ideally we need to draw a line in the sand against Crystal Palace and deliver an away win. The good news is that Cresswell and Carroll are nearing a return, whether that is against Palace or Sunderland remains to be seen? We have particularly missed Cresswell and, perhaps, it is only in his absence that one fully appreciates his prime importance to the team, both defensively and in our attacking play down the left flank.

To be honest I would settle for grinding out a 0-1 win on Saturday. Although it would obviously be preferable to ally a solid defensive performance, with a powerful and fluid attacking display. As I have said, I would take a 0-1 win now, but a repeat of last season's 1-3 victory would be ideal. In fact there could be a certain symmetry to this fixture. On 17 October 2015 we registered that 1-3 win to lift us in to the top three of the PL. Would it not be ironic if the corresponding fixture this Saturday provided the three points to lift us out of the bottom three and start a charge up the table. Stranger things have happened! COYI.

SJ. Chandos.

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Valencia eye Simone Zaza move in January
HITC
Sean Lunt

The Juventus man is currently struggling on loan at West Ham United. According to Valencian newspaper Levante-emv, Valencia are eyeing a move for striker Simone Zaza. The forward is currently on loan at West Ham United from Juventus, with Slaven Bilic's side paying a £5million loan fee with an obligation to buy him for £20 million should he play a certain amount of games. He has failed to shine at the London Stadium, though, and is currently goalless in his first five games. Indeed, talk has already been rife about a potential return to Italy in the January transfer window should he fail to turn things around. And it seems Italy may not be his only option, with Levante-emv reporting that Valencia could offer him an escape route.
According to the newspaper, the Italian has been added to a long list of potential strikers they could target in January and manager Cesare Prandelli has already given his approval.
Los Che have struggled for goals so far, with just nine in their first seven games, and Zaza is viewed as a solution to that issue. The deal is likely to be a tricky one to get done, though, given there are three parties involved in the deal. Although, if he continues to struggle then West Ham will likely take any opportunity to bring his loan spell to an end.

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Ecuador's Enner Valencia scores twice and celebrates with 'baby bump' after child maintenance row
08:58, 12 OCT 2016 UPDATED 08:59, 12 OCT 2016
BY ALEX RICHARDS

On-loan Everton striker Enner Valencia put a difficult week behind him by scoring twice in Ecuador's World Cup qualifying draw with Bolivia - and celebrated with a baby bump. Valencia has made international headlines amid a row over unpaid child maintenance and appeared to feign injury in last week's 3-0 win over Chile in an astonishing incident which saw him chased by judicial officials and police. But after breaking his silence on that subject over the weekend, Valencia emerged as his country's hero, bagging a brace at La Tri came from two down to draw in La Paz. The hosts had taken control of the match, with veteran striker Pablo Escobar netting both goals. The 38-year-old thumped home from 30-yards inside four minutes to give Bolivia the lead, before firing home two minutes before half-time to double their advantage. But Gustavo Quinteros' side came out firing in the second period and hit back within three minutes of the break, 26-year-old Valencia turning home. And the Toffees forward, who joined on a season-long loan from West Ham in August, notched an 89th minute equaliser - celebrating with a nod to events of recent days. They head to Uruguay next month, with La Celeste currently sitting in second, three points ahead.

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