Phillips - Defeat hard to take
WHUFC.com
Mark Phillips conceded that the better team on the night managed to qualify
for the FA Youth Cup 4th round as Stoke City beat West Ham United on
penalties. The U18s' assistant boss praised his side for responding after
conceding two quickfire goals at the start of the second half, but said
Stoke deserved to go through based on chances created. "The first goal was
poor from us but they'll see it as a good goal from their point of view. The
second goal was a mistake from us put we responded well to going behind,"
said Phillips.
"If I'm honest, we didn't do enough to win the game. They had the better
chances and their No7 caused us lots of problems. Overall, I think they
deserved to win it in the 120 minutes."
The Hammers went in to their 3rd round tie eager to put right the wrongs of
their last three failed attempts in the Cup and made a great start when top
scorer Jahmal Hector-Ingram converted a delicate through ball from Joe
Powell. Steve Potts' team set about defending their lead and looked
comfortable for the majority of the first half, although they had to be wary
of Stoke wideman Thibaud Verlinde who was dangerous all night long. The
Hammers were stung by two quickfire goals at the start of the second half -
first, Thomas Edwards broke clear to fire home, then Tyrese Campbell fired
home from 18 yards. The away side picked themselves up on the hour mark - a
sweeping move ended with Dan Kemp crossing for Hector-Ingram to head home
his second of the game. Extra time came with both sides struggling to
fashion many openings. Stoke could have stolen it after Jordon Greenidge
shot wide from six yards. The penalty shootout arrived at it was the Potters
who prevailed with Mate Deczki making two excellent saves to put the home
side through.
"We've got a very, very good side and I just don't what it is about the
Youth Cup," added Phillips. "We'll dust ourselves and go again at the
weekend. That's what football is all about and the lads will respond."
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Rice - We're gutted to exit Youth Cup
WHUFC.com
U18s were beaten on penalties by Stoke City in FA Youth Cup third round
Skipper Declan Rice said the belief before the game was that the youngsters
could go all the way in the competition
The Republic of Ireland U21 international said to exit at this stage was
"gutting"
Hammers U18 skipper Declan Rice admitted it was gutting to exit the FA Youth
Cup on penalties against Stoke City on Tuesday night.
The young Irons took the lead in the first half at the bet365 Stadium
through Jahmal Hector-Ingram but were pegged back as their opponents grabbed
two goals in quick succession at the start of the second period.
Hector-Ingram, who has been on fire this season, notched his second to
equalise but, unable to find a winner in extra-time, penalties decided the
tie as the Potters were victorious 4-2 from 12 yards. Republic of Ireland
U21 international Rice, who is also captain of the PL2 side this season, was
left heartbroken after the defeat. He said: "We spoke at half time about
having the 1-0 lead and going out in the second half and not messing
anything up, but we have given away two cheap goals and it's not what we're
about. "It's gutting. When we got the game back to 2-2, we definitely
thought we were going to push on and then get the third. "They sat back and
maybe we forced too many balls, but it just wasn't meant to be."
Steve Potts fielded a strong side in Staffordshire for the third round tie,
with Domingos Quina, Vashon Neufville, Nathan Trott and Hector-Ingram - who
have all impressed with the U23s this term - starting. And Rice was adamant
his side had the makings to be successful in the competition this year. "All
the boys were buzzing before the game and everyone was very up for it," he
continued. "It's just a huge shame, because it was my last crack at it this
year and I wish I could have won the Youth Cup. "The team we have, with the
second years and Domingos [Quina], Vash [Neufville] - it's gutting. "We
practised penalties in training yesterday, but they are just luck on the
day. I said to the boys before, just pick a spot and bury it. "Poor Conor
[Coventry] and [Dan] Kempy [who missed] - I spoke to them at the end and
just said it's not the end of the world. We'll learn from it and go again.
"We have just got to look ahead now, keep playing well and raise the bar
every time we play and keep learning different things."
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From the Terraces
WHUFC.com
Fan blogger Joe Difford looks ahead to a Man Utd double header...
Last season at White Hart Lane, a Michail Antonio header prevented Tottenham
from moving into first place in their push for the title, and a similar
start put us ahead on Saturday. The London derby is always a thrilling one
and the atmosphere is always electric, but this particular clash left
Hammers fans deflated and frustrated. After going ahead and looking good
value for our lead, Spurs drew level through youngster Harry Winks, before
Manuel Lanzini netted from the penalty spot. Dimitri Payet was back to his
best and was holding up the play, creating chances and pulling off one of
the most satisfying nutmegs seen all season. Now that a few days have
passed, it is possible to find some positives that weren't obvious after the
final whistle had been blown. Payet's master class coupled with Winston
Reid's resilient defending gave fans a reminder of what our players are
capable of. However, with just two minutes to spare, and with Payet off the
pitch, Harry Kane pounced to tap home an equaliser. A draw would have been
tough to take considering our inspired performance, but Lady Luck reared her
ugly head and handed Spurs a penalty in injury time. It is impossible to
deny the contact made by Havard Nordtveit, but Son Heung-min appeared to
leave his leg out and throw himself to the floor in dramatic fashion,
allowing Kane to steal all three points in the last second. To add insult to
injury, Winston Reid was sent off late on for attempting to win a header and
knocking into Kane. The dismissal was more than harsh, and it comes just as
Reid has returned from suspension, and returned to top form. Simone Zaza
could have won the game late on, but he failed to play through Payet in
time, and did not out enough power behind the rebound. It is nearly
impossible to look back on Saturday's tie with any feelings other than
frustration and disappointment, but a few days on it is clear that we have
the ability to compete with the top sides, if we have a little more luck on
our side. Our next few games see us battle Manchester United, Arsenal and
Liverpool, and there is nothing stopping us from taking some points away
from those three games. We do however, have to play for ninety minutes, take
our chances better and pray for a little bit of fortune, which we know is
always hiding.
For more West Ham fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those
of West Ham United
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Harewood hopes to see another famous win
WHUFC.com
Marlon Harewood will never forget his last ever game for West Ham United.
In fact, 13 May 2007 will always be remembered by everyone associated with
the club as it was the day Carlos Tevez scored the winning goal against
Manchester United to keep the Hammers in the Premier League.
Alan Curbishley's side somehow managed to win seven of their last nine games
to stay in the top flight which was labelled the 'Great Escape'.
Harewood says he will always remember the memorable celebrations which took
place on the pitch and the incredible team-spirit which saw them defy all
the odds to retain their top flight status.
The 1-0 victory was the last time the Hammers manage to secure a victory at
Old Trafford and Harewood says he would love to see a similar outcome when
the two teams meet on Sunday....
I will never forget the events that unfolded at Old Trafford that day and
the celebrations will stay with me forever because it capped off a mad
season for us!
We had got to the FA Cup Final the year before and finished in the top half
of the table, but were then facing a relegation struggle for the majority of
the season.
There was a lot of attention surrounding the club following the arrivals of
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, but it never fazed us as players that
they were part of the squad.
They were two massive players coming to the Club and we thought it can only
be a good thing for West Ham to move forward.
But unfortunately we still struggled and it needed an amazing run of form at
the end of the season to keep us up.
The players had a good feeling heading up to Old Trafford and we felt a bit
unstoppable considering the amount of wins we had put together. We were
going at teams with nothing to lose.
It was not ideal that we were playing Manchester United away in the last
game and other teams must have been predicting that we would not get
anything.
I don't think Curbs had much to say in the dressing room before the game as
he just made it clear to us that we needed to carry on the way we had been
performing in the last few games and give your best.
Carlos had an amazing run of form and he was top class. You could see back
then the quality he had as a striker and it was a privilege to train
alongside him every day and learn from him. I loved playing alongside him.
He helped us to stay in the Premier League.
I had to settle for a place on the bench in the final game which I was
fuming about as I was desperate to be involved!
But the Club will always have a special place in my heart so I was just
pleased to do anything to help them stay up. I came on in the second half
and we managed to get the victory.
I joined Aston Villa later that summer but I had no idea at that stage it
was going to be my last game.
I wanted to be on the pitch at the end which I managed to do and the
celebrations were something special. It was great to see the emotion from
all the players because it meant so much to everyone.
It was a tough year for everyone and we were fighting for everything. I
cannot speak highly enough about the group of lads we had there at the time
and we knew we could get out of it.
It is crazy to think that Nobes and Ginge were also part of the team that
day and I am so happy for both of them that they have had long careers at
West Ham.
Nobes is an amazing lad and a great leader and you could see the
determination he had that year as a youngster. He is a credit to West Ham
and a credit to football.
Ginge has also been there a long time and has achieved so much during his
career and is still producing his best form for club and country. It is a
massive achievement for both of them.
It is a bit scary that the last time West Ham won at Old Trafford was back
in 2007 and time flies.
But we have got an opportunity on Sunday to get another victory up there and
hopefully the lads can get the right result. They are certainly capable of
getting a victory.
United are not playing the best at the moment so it is a great time to go
there and try and get a result.
We are playing them twice in four days, but the one on Sunday is massive
because three points can help us move up the league.
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The Big Interview - Aaron Cresswell
WHUFC.com
Aaron Cresswell is determined to build on his England experience by helping
West Ham United move back up the Premier League table over the coming weeks.
Fresh from making his Three Lions debut in the 2-2 friendly draw with Spain,
left-back Cresswell is well aware that the Hammers need to turn their form
around with fixtures against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool around
the corner.
Having come so close to getting the result they craved at Tottenham Hotspur
last weekend, the former Ipswich man is convinced better times are just
around the corner. We caught up with him for this week's Big Interview.
Last season, West Ham were known for their away wins at big teams like
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. Is that what you need to kick-start
it this season - to win a big game against a big club, like for example Man
Utd this weekend?
AC: "Of course it would be nice to do that, but we know it is going to be
very tough, especially going there twice in four days.
"But there are no easy games in the Premier League, whether you're playing
Liverpool or Chelsea, or one of the teams at the bottom, there's no game
that will be easy.
"We know as players and professionals we need to get as many points as we
can and hopefully we can do that on Sunday."
As a lad from Liverpool, is a game against Manchester United a bit more
meaningful for you?
AC: "I wouldn't say it was more meaningful. Of course, growing up there was
a big rivalry between Liverpool and Man Utd, but I want to go there, do as
well as I can and try to win the game."
You've got a bit of a new role under Slaven Bilic this year - a bit of a
wing-back role. Do you think you've got a bit more freedom in the side,
playing in this formation?
AC: "Yeah, it's certainly one that I like - I like to get forward as much as
I can and you've also got to be defensively minded as well when the
opposition are on the attack. For me, I'll play in whatever formation the
Gaffer wants."
Let's talk England. It's an interesting time for you to get your call-up,
after two years of uninterrupted good form, you get injured, then you're
straight back in and in the England squad. Is that testament to how you hit
the ground running once you got back into the side?
AC: "To be honest it was a bit of a shock at the time and I didn't expect to
be in the squad having only played three games prior to the call-up.
"I felt I did okay over my two seasons at West Ham, and for me it was a good
experience to get that phone call and go and join the squad."
Where were you when you got the phone call?
AC: "I was at home with my girlfriend. She had just cooked tea, and I got
the phone call from the FA. Before I knew it I was up at St George's Park."
Has playing with people like Dimitri Payet, England internationals like Andy
Carroll, experienced players like Mark Noble, given you the kind of basis
that you weren't overawed going in?
AC: "No, I wasn't overawed going in. I knew what it was going to be like -
I've played against the whole squad really for the last two or three
seasons. We've got ten or so internationals here, so it's a very experienced
squad."
You're one of a bit of a golden age for England left backs at the moment -
there's a lot of competition out there.
AC: "I got asked this just after I played and they said the same - it must
be one of the toughest for competition, position-wise, at the minute.
There's Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand, Luke Shaw, Leighton Baines, Keiran Gibbs.
There's plenty there - but the main thing for me is to concentrate on West
Ham and play my best here."
What was it like playing for the first time at Wembley?
AC: "It was good. I'd been there to watch England years back, when we played
Wales. It's one of the best stadiums in the world, with over 80,000 fans
there for the Spain game. It was fantastic with all the family there to
support me too."
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Slaven, it's time to up your game
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd November 2016
By: Nick Fretwell
Slaven Bilic. West Ham manager and all-round fans' favourite. Let's have a
little peek into his tenure so far.
He took over in the most unique of circumstances - the last season at the
Boleyn Ground, the only season in absolutely donkey's years where the main
big hitters in the league were misfiring.
He also inherited a very good spine of the team from the previous manager
and, for once, the board hit gold (or struck lucky) with most of our
signings that slotted in nicely from the off.
At the start of the season, we had those fabulous away wins, but could they
have been down to 'new manager syndrome'? Everybody giving that extra 10-20
per cent to impress?
Arsenal have only won just over half of their opening day fixtures in the
Premier League era and Liverpool, they were poor for the most part of last
season under Rodgers. Of course, that's not taking anything away from the
results, but as enjoyable as they were, they were anomalies.
Man City away on the other hand, that was a game where everything 'clicked',
however, on another day, with the bombardment they gave us in the second
half, they could quite easily have won it, and it wouldn't have been a too
harsh of a result if they had. Disappointing, yes, but harsh, definitely
not.
Then comes the home form. The two early defeats aside, I think we raised our
game a bit because of it being the final season at the ground - but that's
not to say we didn't have a hell of a lot of luck along the way. (Yes, I
know we also had some bad luck in the latter stages of the season, but we
also had some fortuitous luck in the first half.)
A few games we played poorly, but still came away with a win - due to red
cards etc. What was it, something like four games in a row where the
opposition had a player sent off? I'm sure somebody will correct me.
The point I'm trying to make is, is that last season his job was made
slightly easier by circumstances. This season, not so much. Poor summer
signings, teething problems with the new ground - and of course, playing in
an unfamiliar environment.
However - I honestly believe that we should be doing better than we are with
the players we do have - and that includes the new signings. With the
exception of Calleri and Fletcher, we have highly experienced players,
players with top European league experience, Champions League and
international experience.
These players have not all of a sudden become bad players and forgotten how
to kick a ball. You generally don't get to play for some of Europe's biggest
clubs if you're completely rubbish.
We have the dreadful record of having none of our strikers scoring all
season. Now it could be put down to them being absolute toilet, or it could
be down to the system that we are playing and have played. Either way, I
just cannot believe that all our strikers are that bad.
Unfortunately though, the longer the lack of goals carries on for, the worse
it gets, confidence gets sapped, and they dwell on the ball or try to do the
safe option because of the pressure.
Then, we end up in the situation we find ourselves in, where not just the
strikers, but all of the players find themselves under pressure, and perhaps
are trying too hard in a way, and making rash decisions and individual
mistakes - like Harvard on Saturday for example.
If we was sitting comfortable and not desperate for a win, and we were
relaxed in our game, would he have gone down like that, or would he have
stayed on his feet and been calmer and assured? If Zaza had a bit of
confidence, would he have dwelt on the ball and passed late to Payet, or
would he have controlled it and rifled it home himself?
The manager's job is to bring the best out in players and build them up,
man-manage and put self-belief back in to them if it's waning. At the
moment, he looks like a broken man, and that must be rubbing off on the
players too.
Everybody, the board, the players, the manager, all have played their part
in the situation we find ourselves in - but with the players we do have, the
manager could - and should - be doing better than he is doing currently.
He needs to up his game, and sharpish, because we are in a precarious
position right this moment. I'm not advocating him being sacked - far from
it, but as much as I cannot stand our board, I wouldn't knock them if they
are putting feelers out and drawing up a shortlist.
If the time does come where we need a new manager, I'd rather us be prepared
and have somebody lined up to take over straight away, rather than us be a
rudderless ship for a few games where quite possibly, any incumbent manager
could find himself having to do a nigh-on impossible task because we're in
the mire.
Remember, this poor form isn't just this season. Man Utd aside, we've been
pretty poor since towards the end of last season.
Whether he has the wherewithal to turn the slump around, the jury is still
out for me - but something in my heart of hearts actually thinks he doesn't
have it in him, and sadly, his days may well already be numbered after such
a promising start to his tenure.
I hope not, but it's what I suspect.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.
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West Ham chasing Juventus star: Slaven Bilic wants to sign him in January
By JACK OTWAY
PUBLISHED: 08:14, Wed, Nov 23, 2016 | UPDATED: 08:24, Wed, Nov 23, 2016
Express.co.uk
West Ham have endured a difficult season so far, winning just three of their
first 12 Premier League games. Among their biggest problems has been their
lack of goals, with their tally of 13 just two more than basement side
Swansea. And, according to The Sun, manager Slaven Bilic wants to sign
Mandzukic in January to ensure they beat the drop. Bilic worked with
Mandzukic during his time in charge of the Croatia national team and
believes he can fire them up the table. The Hammers were eager to sign AC
Milan forward Carlos Bacca in the summer but could not convince the Colombia
international to leave the San Siro. But Mandzukic now tops their wish list
for a New Year spending spree. The 30-year-old is currently in his second
season at Juventus after signing from Atletico Madrid in 2015. However, the
summer arrival of Gonzalo Higuain and form of Pablo Dybala means he is not
guaranteed regular football.
It is also claimed that Bilic will try to cut short Simone Zaza's time in
the capital. Zaza, signed from Juventus on loan in the summer, has failed to
settle and is yet to score so far this season.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 24
Wednesday, November 23
Daily WHUFC News - 23rd November 2016
Samuelsen pleased with goal and minutes
WHUFC.com
Martin Samuelsen was delighted to be back playing with his West Ham teammates and back on the scoresheet in the PL2 side's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers. The Norwegian youngster, who has been on loan with Rovers this season, has found game time hard to come by this year with Owen Coyle's team, and made a brief return to West Ham's U23s for the second time in three weeks. He bagged the Hammers' only goal of the match in the seventh minute after a sweeping move, but his goal was not enough for the home side to take the three points. "It was a good team move. Calleri put a good cross in and Fletch held off the defender and showed composure to lay the ball off to me and it wasn't a bad finish," said Samuelsen. "I'd say it was a fair result but we had enough chances to win the game. In the second half, I came through and their keeper made a really good save. But probably, a draw was fair."
Despite not playing an awful lot for Blackburn's first team, Samuelsen has had a terrific year internationally. The 19-year-old has broken into Norway's senior side and scored his first goal for them in their 4-1 victory over San Marino in a World Cup qualifier in October. He was also part of the West Ham U23 side which won the Premier League Cup last season and he is still remaining positive despite his frustrating time so far at Blackburn. "I'm always happy to score and get the minutes today. I just enjoy playing football really, the last time I played was here for the U23s against West Brom so I'm delighted to be able to play today," he added. "At Blackburn I've been working hard and going in to train pretty much every day because I haven't been playing. I've been doing the extras to allow myself to be more fit when I get the chance to play."
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Hammers ready for FA Youth Cup tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s begin what they hope will be a successful FA Youth Cup campaign this evening when they travel to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City. The Hammers have been in fine fettle this season in the U18 Premier League South and they were top of that league just a few weeks ago. Steve Potts' players go into tonight's match on the back of a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, but they are still well in the mix to challenge for honours come the end of the season. Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development Terry Westley says the FA Youth Cup is the priority for the Academy system this season. "The priority will be on Tuesday against Stoke. So Nathan Trott, Declan Rice, Vashon Neufville, Dan Kemp who have been regular starters for the U23s will be rested to feature on Tuesday," he said. "We need to try and be competitive in it. We've had three years without not going through and that hurts the players and staff as much as anybody. "It would be nice to try and get a cup run going and with the way the U18s have been playing with Steve and Mark would suggest we would have a chance. If we play to our potential, I can see us doing well."
As mentioned, the Hammers love affair with the famous Cup competition has weakened over the last three years with three successive 3rd round exits. They lost 3-1 away at Derby County at this stage last season and will hope to make it fourth time lucky by qualifying for the next phase. West Ham last won the trophy in 1999 with a thumping 9-0 aggregate victory over Coventry City in the final, with a team featuring the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. "It's not been nice the last couple of years but we're hoping to do a lot better this season. Last season we had two weeks break before the match with Derby and it didn't work in our favour at all," said U18s assistant boss Mark Phillips. "Maybe playing three days before will work in our favour. We have needed this game (vs Spurs) to be sharper. Stoke have had a whole week's rest so it may work in our favour. We'll have to see."
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Learning Academy players take on Hammers youngsters
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation Learning Academy students were given the chance of a lifetime last week, when they faced the Hammers Academy stars of the future in a friendly fixture at the Club's Little Heath training ground.
The Learning Academy side, made up of students who benefit from elite coaching and competitive football alongside their studies, with the aim of keeping them in education, were given the opportunity having been watched by Club staff at their Chadwell Heath training base and deemed strong enough to give the Hammers Academy side a competitive fixture.
The Learning Academy programme is open to 16-18 year olds, is free of charge thanks to funding sourced by delivery partners SCL Education, and is available at five centres across east London & Essex; Basildon, Beckton, Chadwell Heath, Chelmsford and Canvey Island.
Jordan Ambrose-Richardson, who represented the WHU Foundation Learning Academy side, spoke of the differences between the sides: "They understand the game so well and they pass the ball quickly. You have to get into position quickly and be pro-active. It's so tiring; you have to be so fit! I think I did well and I was the only player on our team to score, but they're so hard to keep up with! We could have kept a clean sheet in the second half, but they took advantage of our mistakes."
Jordan has played football from a young age and joined the Learning Academy with WHU Foundation having previously experienced life with a Club academy. He spoke highly of the programme, which allows him to complete assignments away from the classroom in order to allow maximum time playing football: "I like that our assignments are easily accessible and all online because I can work from home as well as at college. I'd definitely recommend it to others who might have been let go from an academy."
Whilst not strong enough to prevent an expected defeat on the day, the Learning Academy side – who have only been playing together since September - gave a strong account of themselves in difficult conditions, earning plaudits from WHU Academy staff and players alike.
Senior Academy Integration Officer Jim Hampsheir enthused: "The match was a fantastic opportunity for our players to showcase their ability, playing in a professional environment and testing themselves against one of the best academies in the country, if not the world. The players were treated like signed academy players on the day and got to experience how it would be if they did get signed by the club, having trained and played for the west ham elite second chance programme.
"The lads really tried to apply everything that we have been working on since the start of the season; they had to concentrate and work harder than ever due to the quality and movement of the West Ham United Academy players, It was a wet day which increased the speed that the ball was being played around and the tempo of the play.
"The match was a real education for our lads and showed them the standard that they will need to achieve to become a signed player."
Jim continued: "I must praise the lads for their persistence to play the right way and show great character throughout the match; their attitude was first class.
"All of the players were buzzing afterwards and keen to get into training on Monday following their incredible experience. The
image: http://www.whufc.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Foundation2.jpg
Foundationmatch was filmed just like any other Academy match and we will be using the footage to review and analyse individual performances to aid the football education process and development of the players.
"There is a lot of potential in the squad and we do our best to help every individual to be the best they can be and, ultimately, to achieve their dreams."
The Learning Academy programme will begin recruitment via trials for its next cohorts for all locations in early February 2017. For more details, please email Sam Taylor, staylor@westhamunited.co.uk
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Westley - Quina is one of Europe's best
WHUFC.com
Domingos Quina recently signed his first professional contract with West Ham
Academy Manager Terry Westley believes the youngster is one of Europe's best talents
The Portugal youth international has been sensational for the U23 side this season
Academy boss Terry Westley labelled teenage talent Domingos Quina one of Europe's finest young stars days after the Portuguese signed his first professional contract with the Hammers. The 17-year-old, who has enjoyed a terrific first season in east London so far, put pen to paper on a deal which will see him under contract at the Club until 2019. The Portugal youth international, who was a key player in his country's U17 European Championship triumph in Azerbaijan last summer, has excelled for the Hammers' U23 side this season. His terrific strike from just inside the opposition Leicester City's half in the Premier League Cup earlier this term has been a standout moment, and Westley believes Quina has got everything to grow into a world class footballer. He said: "It's great news for the Academy, it's great news for the first team squad and the manager Slaven [Bilic], and great news from a brand and PR perspective with the board and directors backing the Club to move forward with a talent as big as what he could be. "[The deal] shows how far we have come in recent years, attracting the very best talent, not only just in England but in Europe, he's that good. "He's got that star quality and for him to commit long-term to us is great news. "I think, for a 16-year-old, to be playing every week in your U23s, and being one of the better players in the league, [it's great]. I haven't seen any players in our league who can dominate a game like he can and break the lines and go past people like he can."
The midfielder, who will be in action on Tuesday night for the Club's U18s as they take on Stoke City in the FA Youth Cup, has been deployed as a deep midfielder in recent weeks for the PL2 squad, and Westley believes the youngster is perfectly suited to the role.
"People, analysts, talk about players 90 per cent keeping the ball, but they've kept it safe," Westley continued. "This boy tries real high tariff passes. "He tries to split defences, he'll try the outrageous against Leicester and score from nearly his own half. He's got that star quality and to do things different to other players. "That shows his calibre and how good he is to be one of the best players in the U23 league already at the tender age of 16 and now coming on to 17. "This season, I'd love him to have a game in the Prem! I'd love him to show our supporters and our staff and players, younger players in the Academy, that it can be done. I truly believe he's of that quality."
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Domingos Quina - Ten Fast Facts
WHUFC.com
Here are ten fast facts you may not have known about 17-year-old sensation Domingos Quina, who recently signed his first professional contract with West Ham…
The midfielder was born in west African country Guinea-Bissau but moved to Portugal as a youngster
The teenager has represented Portugal at U17, U18 and U19 level despite only just turning 17
Quina initially signed for the Hammers on scholarship terms during the summer but recently put pen to paper on a deal which will see him remain at the Club until 2019
Was a star player for his national U17 side which won the U17 European Championships in Azerbaijan during the summer
He started the final victory over Spain and scored in the group stage fixture against Scotland
Quina has already played twice for the Hammers' first team in competitive matches – in both early season Europa League ties against NK Domzale
He also featured in the Club's official opening match at the new London Stadium against Juventus
The 17-year-old has starred for the PL2 side this term, more recently being deployed as a deep midfielder where he sees lots of the ball
Bagged a wonder goal against Leicester in the Premier League Cup, scoring from just inside the opposition's half, lobbing the goalkeeper (above)
Quina has already been praised aplenty by boss Slaven Bilic, who said "if he doesn't make it, nobody will"
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Obiang and Fletcher surprise families
WHUFC.com
The London Stadium Tours have proved to be a big success with West Ham supporters this season as fans get a major insight into life at London Stadium. From walking out the tunnel to going behind-the-scenes in the dressing room, these are just a few of the big features that make the London Stadium tours a must for every West Ham United fan. All generations of Hammers fans have enjoyed the experience and this proved to be the case once again for the Baker, Karir and Sinclair families who had a big surprise in store when they went on a London Stadium Tour. As they made their way into the dressing room first-team stars Ashley Fletcher and Pedro Obiang were waiting to greet them and made it a night for them to remember at London Stadium. Fletcher said he was pleased to play his part and knows what it means to the fans when they get the chance to meet up with the players. Fletcher said: "It was a great gesture from the Club to put this event on for the fans. "It enables the relationship between the fans and the Club to get even stronger. I was happy to come along with Pedro and help out."
Obiang was also happy to make the night even more special for the Hammers fans and says he hopes many more will come and see the tour in the near future.
Obiang said: "I think it's a big surprise because when you come and see two players from the team, it's great and it's amazing."
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#WHUAREYA - Toni Martinez
WHUFC.com
There was plenty of excitement in the summer when the Hammers tied down the signature of young Spanish talent Toni Martinez.
And the forward did nothing to detract from the excitement, bagging seven goals in his first seven competitive matches.
Though the teenager picked up an injury that has ruled him out of the last month's fixtures, the striker is on the road to recovery and can't wait to get back amongst things for Terry Westley's men.
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FT - Stoke City 2-2 West Ham United U18
WHUFC.com
Heartbreak in the shootout as two Mate Deczki saves helps Stoke to a 4-2 victory.
FULL TIME: It finishes 2-2! Nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes, so we go to penalties.
120 (ET): One minute to be played of added time. 2-2.
119 (ET): Great save by Deczki in the Stoke goal. Domingos Quina shoots hard from 25 yards and at full stretch the Stoke man parries it clear. 2-2
117 (ET): West Ham with much of the possession in these latter stages but have been unable to create anything of real substance. Penalties just minutes away now. 2-2.
110 (ET): Both teams look to be tiring understandably. Can West Ham find one more chance and get themselves a precious goal? 2-2
106 (ET): A quick turnaround and the second half of extra time is underway. Early chance for Jordon Greenidge but his header is easily collected by Trott. 2-2.
105 (ET): That's it for the first half of extra-time and still nothing to separate the sides. Jordon Greenidge's miss the pick of the chances. Second half to come shortly. 2-2.
103 (ET): More good play in midfield by Stoke City but have, as yet, not troubled Nathan Trott in the West Ham goal. 2-2
98 (ET): Massive chance for Stoke City. Jordon Greenidge receives it in the box, turns his man well and with just the keeper to beat from six yards, he places it well wide. Let off for West Ham.
95 (ET): Short break in play as Stoke City's Cameron McJannet receives treatment on the field. 2-2
91 (ET): Extra-Time change for The Hammers as Korrey Henry replaces Alfie Lewis.
Full Time (in 90 mins): Nothing to separate the sides after 90 minutes so we will play a further 30 minutes of extra time.
90+1: Great chance for Stoke. Thomas Edwards picks up on the right hand side of the box, fires at goal but thankfully Declan Rice is there to block and concede the corner. 2-2.
90: 3 minutes of added time to be played.
87: Yellow card for Conor Coventry who brings down the Stoke man on half way. 2-2
82: Stoke City change - Tyrese Campbell comes off for Kristofer Szereto. 2-2.
78: First change for West Ham as Anthony Scully replaces Joe Powell. 2-2.
76: Still 2-2 here at the Bet365 Stadium. It's been a much better response by the West Ham boys after a slow start to the second half. Hopefully a big finish to come. 2-2.
69: Brilliant save by Nathan Trott! Thibaud Verlinden's strike from 25-yards looked destined for the top corner but Trott's fingertips are enough to see the ball cannon in to the crossbar. 2-2
64: WEST HAM GOAL! Excellent build-up play finds Danny Kemp on the right side who's cross lays up Jahmal Hector-Ingram for a simple header from close-range. 2-2.
60: Not the start to the second half we would have wanted but the young Hammers have responded well to the double-setback. Still time to turn this around. 2-1.
53: Goal for Stoke. A second in as many minutes as Tyrese Campbell breaks free to slot past Nathan Trott from the edge of the box. 2-1
52: Goal for Stoke. The hosts have started brightly and equalise through Thomas Edwards from close range. 1-1.
46: We're back underway here after the half-time interval. No changes, Hammers leading 0-1.
Half Time: Jahmal Hector-Ingram's strike gives us the one goal advantage at the break.
45: Another excellent chance for The Hammers. Domingos Quina the architect down the left hand side, he cuts it back to Danny Kemp on the edge of the box who fires just wide. 0-1
43: Hector-Ingram again the man causing trouble, this time he dribbles his way around a defender into the Stoke box but is unable find a teammate. 0-1
36: Best chance of the game for the hosts as Jordan Greenidge picks it up 20 yards from goal but his effort just goes wide. 0-1
35: We're still looking comfortable and Jahmal Hector-Ingram is causing trouble for the Stoke defenders, but no more chances since the last update. 0-1
28: West Ham really growing in to this game now and beginning to take control. Quina the latest to go close, but his shot from outside of the box goes over. 0-1
24: Yellow card this time for Stoke City's Louis Da Silva. Danny Kemp's free-kick is then eventually collected by Mate Deczki and Stoke clear. 0-1
20: The hosts looking comfortable on the ball in midfield but rarely threatening our goal. West Ham still leading 0-1.
15: West Ham's Ben Johnson booked for a foul just outside our own box. Following free-kick sent high over the bar. 0-1
10: GOALLL! Lovely ball forward by Joe Powell who finds Jahmal Hector-Ingram in the box. The forward calmly takes it under control and slots under the keeper's body from close-range. 0-1
8: Chance for West Ham as the hosts half-heartedly clear the ball from their own box only as far as Conor Coventry whos volley goes wide. 0-0
5: Lively start to this encounter with half chances at both ends. West Ham just beginning to bring the ball down and play with more confidence. 0-0
1: Fabulous save from Nathan Trott as Stoke City's Tyrese Campbell cuts in from the right and shoots low towards the bottom corner. The shot is parried wide and the subsequent corner is cleared. 0-0
Kick Off: We're underway at the Bet365 Stadium!
West Ham last tasted success in this prestigious competition in 1999 and will hope that tonight marks the end of a three-year spell in which we have tasted successive 3rd round exits. There is also a start tonight for 17-year old Domingos Quina, who yesterday signed his first professional contract with The Hammers.
6.45pm: The warm-ups are complete and the teams are making their way back down the tunnel with kick-off just 15 minutes away.
West Ham United: Trott, Johnson, Neufville, Akinola, Rice, Coventry, Lewis, Kemp, Quina, Powell, Hector-Ingram.
Subs: Wells, Matrevics, Longelo, Henry, Scully.
Stoke City: Deczki; Edwards, McJannet, Dunwoody, Read, Da Silva, Verlinden, Sorensen, Greenidge, Campbell, Twyford.
Subs: Butler, Allen, Szereto, Balde, Diallo.
6pm: Hello and welcome from the bet365 Stadium! Tonight, our young Hammers take on Stoke City in their first clash in this year's FA Youth Cup. We haven't had the best of times in this competition in recent years, so let's hope tonight we can turn that around and progress to the next round! The visitors are to field a strong side this evening - team news to follow shortly.
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Date set for Ladies trials
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies FC are looking for players aged 16 or over to join the team at an exciting time in their history.
Having recently joined the West Ham United family, the team are hosting a trials event to develop the Ladies teams, and add to the current pool of players.
West Ham United Ladies FC currently consists of four junior and two senior teams, with structured and progressive coaching provided to talented female footballers from coaches within the men's Academy. West Ham United Ladies philosophy is long term development over short term success, and our players are provided with support covering all aspects of the game, both on and off the pitch.
The Ladies train twice a week, with an optional third session also available. Match fixtures tend to be played on a Sunday, with some midweek fixtures throughout the season.
Do you share our ambition? Do you want to be part of the newly structured West Ham United Ladies FC?
Trial Date
Wednesday 7 December 2016
8pm-9:45pm
Age: 16+
Location: West Ham Academy, Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, RM6 6DT
Players wishing to attend the Ladies trials must register with Head Coach Karen Ray no later than Wednesday 30 November. To register, please email Karen directly: kray@westhamunited.co.uk.
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Retractable seating back on the agenda?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd November 2016
By: Staff Writer
The Olympic Stadium could be set for yet more upheaval after it was claimed that the arena's operators are currently considering replacing the much-maligned temporary seating. Although West Ham fans were informed prior to the move to Stratford that fully retractable seating was to be installed inside the arena in order to bring the stands closer to the pitch, the reality turned out to be something quite different.
Instead of stands that have been installed on wheels, as is common elsewhere at grounds featuring running tracks, the (cheaper) solution provided at Stratford involves completely dismantling the stands after use (ie at the end of the football season). And instead of the seven-day turnaround that fully-retractable seating would require, the current solution requires up to three weeks to implement - something that, it has been claimed, has led the arena's operators to consider ripping out the existing infrastructure, according to a source close to the project. "The big cost is not simply the dismantling and rebuilding of the temporary stands every time - It's the nine days it takes to do and the lost income that leads to," the source wrote on construction forum skyscrapercity.com. "That means for a one day event, the Olympic Stadium needs nearly three weeks between football matches. Long term that means it is almost impossible to make money from because it means only the summer spell can be used. "Spurs will soon have the option of a major all-year events programme; the O2, Twickenham etc all can too due to relative infrequency of use. The Olympic Stadium will find itself competing for events not only with those big venues, but with seasonal rivals too (the royal parks are now big venues for summer festivals). "Since events are the main means of the owners making money, and with some weekends in summer likely to include athletics meets (a contractual obligation) and thus diminishing revenue opportunities too), the implications are huge."
The source also revealed how the stadium operators, LS185, and their partners were considering reducing the stadium's 57,000 capacity whilst work is undertaken - all of which could add another £50m to the stadium's costs, which already exceeds £700m. "The owners are looking at a schedule, possibly one stand at a time of reduced capacity, to install actual retractable seating (with all the mechanics that involves)," the source added. "That is likely to cost tens of millions at best, and take years due to having to accommodate the sitting tenant. "It may also see big payments made to West Ham if the contracts specify availability of stands for matches."
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Martin Samuelsen: Blackburn Rovers terminate West Ham winger's loan spell
BBC.co.uk
Blackburn Rovers have ended the season-long loan spell of Norway winger Martin Samuelsen and he has returned to parent club West Ham United. The 19-year-old joined Rovers in August, but he made just two starts in four outings at Ewood Park. He scored for the Hammers against Rovers in Premier League Two on Monday. "Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that," boss Owen Coyle told the club website. "So we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: POSSIBLE MANAGER AND PLAYER TARGETS LISTED
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 21 NOVEMBER 2016 AT 10:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
What a frustrating result that was against Spurs. It was the first time this season I had felt comfortable with the team selection and the formation and it was nice to have a recognised forward starting and someone who we know can score in the Premier League.
I thought we played well and in particular Winston Reid and Cheik Kouyate were superb. I thought Lanzini was industrious in midfield and that Spurs were afraid of Payet. This is why he shouldn't have been taken off and why I believe the subs costs us.
Payet was our main outlet and the player Spurs were most fearful of and it meant they didn't push on with as much freedom as they did once he left. He should have stayed on the field in my eyes. I agreed Sakho should have gone off because he was looking tired but I would have put on Fletcher who has proven he is a good person to put on to hold the ball up and use pace to worry the opposition. I would have also brought on Collins instead of Nordveit, who has looked off the pace all season and push Kouyate into defensive midfield. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but it was very disappointing especially as all three goals that Spurs scored had individual mistakes by us in them.
Another frustrating thing to come out of the Spurs game was the lack of coverage some of the Spurs fans got in comparison with the ludicrous headlines that greeted us after matches at the Olympic stadium. I have heard from many of you who attended the match saying how Tottenham fans were steaming in and taking out random West Ham fans, as well as coin throwing. Had this been the other way round at the London Stadium you know this would have been covered all over the press.
The board, whilst backing Bilic 100% at this point are becoming quite worried/frustrated with recent results and performances. Whilst I think Bilic is safe for the short term, should these results continue and our Premier League survival be in doubt then I think the club would act unlike what happened under Avram Grant. Although this is all speculation at the moment I know the club really like Mancini and that he would be keen to move here. Benitez was obviously a big target before we got Bilic but would he be persuaded to leave high flying Newcastle for us? Likewise we like Eddie Howe but I am not sure whether he could be persuaded either. There are also some foreign alternatives and some in the championship (although these are unlikely) including former targets Bielsa and De Boer but like I said Bilic for the time being is safe.
The board have a real dilemma on whether they will back Bilic in the January window or a new man. Sturridge is someone that the club would love to get on loan for the season with the potential for a permanent deal in the summer. There are some concerns regarding his injury record so a loan deal could be the way round this. It was thought that we may try and persuade Giroud to join us as well but his recent form for Arsenal could prevent them from selling him as well as a lot of competition from other clubs. A forward is the key as it really should be and a number of players are being scouted at the moment. Dembele of Celtic and Lookman of Charlton are players that have been watched, which Hammers Chat reported in the week, and Mandžukić of Juventus too who could come in to save his fellow Croatian. Lukasz Teodorczyk is a Polish forward on loan at Anderlecht, we could try to buy out his loan and take him permanently to the club. There is a few other players from the German and French leagues have been scouted too. Many supporters are calling for Jermain Defoe to return, should he be available for a move I think we would do it as we have made two previous approaches under the current board of directors.
We will also move for a right back. Iorfa of Wolves is someone we are keen on, plus the potential of loaning Jenkinson for the season hasn't left our minds. Without doubt the right back situation will be addressed, Jon Flanagan the Liverpool right back, who has recently returned from a loan from Burnley may be an option too. Glen Johnson's name has been discussed as well for some Premier League experience and someone who can also play right back and wing back.
As I mentioned in my last column we have looked at Chelsea and Liverpool players as is mentioned above but this also includes Dominic Solanke whose contract is due to expire in the summer. We are also expected to allow Tore, Calleri and Zaza to have their loan deals terminated to free up wages and squad space.
It is great news that Quina has signed a new contract with the club and Oxford is set to sign very shortly. Reece turns 18 on the 16th December and so the club will be able to tie him to a long term deal from that point which he now seems keen to do. It is expected that a number of other promising youngsters will also sign new deals soon.
eventsOur West Ham Way Event is really selling well and we are delighted to have Frank McAvennie and Mark Ward answering questions in a specially designed "West Ham" venue. There will also be a number of other famous West Ham fans in attendance and we would love to see more of you there. If you are still unsure free coach travel to the London Stadium and free beer should persuade you. Even if you don't have a match ticket the game will be shown at the venue. You can buy tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/all-tickets/22834/293a/
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FORGOTTEN MAN: MIKE SMALL
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 22 NOVEMBER 2016 AT 9:01PM
TehWestHamWay.co.uk
Andy Carroll's injured. Everyone else is rubbish. West Ham need a target man desperately or we're getting relegated. Guess what? We've been here before. In the first of a new series, Sid Lambert (@sid_lambert) looks back at the strange selection of West Ham strikers that littered the 1990s.
For ten years, Mike Small did little of note in professional football.
After failing at Luton and Peterborough, he jobbed from club to club, enduring stints in Holland, Belgium and Greece in search of a regular home. There were brief flashes of success, including a short spell at Vitesse Arnhem in 1987, but little to suggest that he would succeed at a higher level.
Finally, in 1990, the 28-year-old nomad pitched up in Brighton.
And then everything changed.
Small battered his way through the Second Division, notching 21 goals in all competitions. His goals powered the Seagulls to the play-offs and convinced West Ham boss Billy Bonds to make a move for him.
Bonds had guided us to the top flight at the second attempt. Ludek Miklosko, Colin Foster and Steve Potts had been stalwarts in the Second Division's most meagre defence. However, goals had been hard to come by. Only Trevor Morley (12) and Frank McAvennie (10) had hit double figures on league duty and it took cameos from Iain Dowie and veteran Jimmy Quinn to get us over the line.
With Dowie departed, Bonds needed a physical presence up front. Small fit the bill perfectly. He was in-form and, more importantly, very affordable at just £400,000.
Incredibly, Small took that red-hot form straight into the top tier. He took just two games to get off the mark, scoring in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. In the next home game he scored as the Hammers beat Aston Villa 3-1. We had five points from our first four games and had only suffered defeat once. Things were looking promising.
As is the West Ham way, that promise started to fade.
But Small's ruthlessness in front of goal didn't. He scored in successive games against Chelsea, Norwich and Crystal Palace, where a precious three points kept us out of the relegation zone.
It wasn't just sheer volume, Small was scoring every type of goal: tap-ins, headers, one-on-ones. The Birmingham-born man was brimming with confidence. Everything he hit turned to gold.
A seven-day spell at the end of October 1991 was Small's finest hour in claret and blue. He scored the equaliser – cancelling out an early strike from Gary Lineker – as we beat Tottenham 2-1 at Upton Park. In midweek a penalty helped us to a 2-0 League Cup win at Sheffield United before we travelled to Highbury to face George Graham's Arsenal.
After absorbing heavy pressure throughout, the marauding Mitchell Thomas led a rare Hammers' break into the Arsenal half. Tim Breacker fed the ball to Small, who easily eluded Tony Adams before unleashing a left-foot screamer past David Seaman. In a split-second he'd embarrassed two of England's very best.
West Ham won 1-0 and two successive wins against north London rivals put us into the heady heights of 14th place.
Small had scored 13 goals in just 19 starts. That was a record to eclipse even the likes of McAvennie and Cottee.
In just three short months he'd become a folk hero. By now, he was the country's in-form striker and there were even whispers that Graham Taylor might consider him for England duty.
The only thing to match his meteoric rise was the fall that followed.
It took three months for Small to score again, a winner at Luton Town. By now, we were mired in the bottom three. Small's confidence, like the team, had completely evaporated. The first touch was less assured and the finishing hesitant.
Upton Park was an unforgiving place back then. Every moan and groan from the terraces seemed to weigh upon his shoulders. The big man was shrinking before our very eyes. He scored only three more times as we finished rock bottom.
Small's rapid decline is hard to explain. A niggling back injury didn't help. But even when he was fit, he never rediscovered the form of old. He plummeted down the pecking order at Upton Park. Within two years, he was drifting aimlessly around Irish League football.
Mention his name now and it evokes many a wistful glance from the West Ham fans that saw him, still struggling to work out where it all went so wrong.
For three glorious months Mike Small was one of the best strikers in the country.
Let's try and remember him that way.
As well as contributing to TWHW, Sid Lambert is a freelance writer specialising in 90s football. His new book, Cashing In, is now on sale. Set during the dawn of the Premier League, it tells the story of Ray Cash, a talented young player thrust into England's top-flight. As money and fame change football forever, Ray encounters the ugly reality behind the beautiful game.
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Martin Samuelsen returns to West Ham after ending Blackburn loan spell
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 22/11/16 4:35pm
SSN
Martin Samuelsen has returned to West Ham after cutting short his season-long loan at Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The Norway international joined Rovers in August, but found his first-team opportunities limited at Ewood Park. He featured only four times for Owen Coyle's side, his last appearance coming in the goalless draw with Ipswich on October 15. Coyle told the club's website: "We had a good chat and Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that, so we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
The 19-year-old scored for West Ham's development squad in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Tuesday in their Premier League 2 fixture at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium. Samuelsen joined West Ham on a free transfer in June 2015 following his release from Manchester City and spent last season on loan at Sky Bet League One side Peterborough, scoring two goals in 20 appearances.
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West Ham United: Roberto Mancini on shortlist to replace Bilic
calciomercato.com
22 November at 17:04
According to reports in The Telegraph, pressure is mounting on West Ham United coach Slaven Bilic. Last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Spurs has forced club executives to consider lining-up a successor to the former Croatian international.
Ex Inter and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini is one of the names reportedly on the club's shortlist as well as current Bournemouth number one Eddie Howe, former Napoli and Real Madrid and current coach of Newcastle United, Rafa Benitez and Marseille boss Rudi Garcia, who was reportedly linked with the Hammers before he returned to France.
West Ham sit just one point above the relegation zone with some big games coming up before Christmas against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have given Bilic the chance to turn round an awful start to the new campaign but feel that time is running out if they are to avoid getting into a relegation dogfight.
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Samuelsen returns to West Ham
Posted: Tue 22 Nov 2016
Author: rovers.co.uk
Norway international Martin Samuelsen has returned to West Ham United with immediate effect. The 19-year-old winger joined Rovers on a season-long loan deal in August, but has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Ewood Park. Having made just two starts and two substitute appearances in Rovers' colours, Samuelsen has now returned to his parent club. Rovers boss Owen Coyle said: "We had a good chat and Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that, so we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
Last night, Samuelsen opened the scoring for West Ham in the 1-1 draw against Rovers in the Premier League 2 fixture at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
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MICHAIL ANTONIO TALKS UMBRO & THE VELOCITA 3
Interviews Tuesday 22 November 2016 @ 10:23
soccerbible.com
Scoring six goals already this season, Michail Antonio is an attacking player who has almost reached his entire total from last years run out. A double diamond player in the form of his life, we caught up with him behind the scenes as he prepared to launch the Umbro Velocita 3.
What do you remember of Umbro when you were growing up? They're such an iconically English brand.
"Such great memories. Umbro were one of the first boots I had growing up. The Speciali's ― they were the first boots I ever had. Umbro is an icon brand, it's just easy to forget their history. If you think back, Umbro was everywhere at one stage. So many footballers were wearing their boots. Because Nike bought them and then sold them, it affected the brand. This is about bringing Umbro back to where it should be."
Some description
The Double Diamond has retro cool but also has a tech savvy focus when you look at the Velocita 3. How much do you see your boots as your tools?
"Definitely. Your boots are your life basically. Football is my life right now and my boots in that respect are what I do my life in. So if I don't have the right pair of boots, I'm not going to be able to perform. If the boots are going to affect my feet, it's going to affect the way I play because I play with my feet. I'm not a keeper! [laughs]."
"If the boots aren't doing right for me, the boots aren't doing right for my career. For the last four years of my career I had been wearing adidas boots, this year I've changed to Umbro and it's not had a negative effect on my career in any shape or form. I've tried other brands and tried to play with Nike but it just wouldn't work out for me. It's just about getting everything together to make sure I'm playing as well as I can."
"I think right now I'm playing the best football of my life and the best season I've ever had right now. I've scored six goals already this season and I'm just going to keep pushing on."
What have been your impressions having now been able to get a behind the scenes look at how a brand works, is that something that interests you?
"You manage to see the other side of things when you start working with a brand like this. I really enjoy it. When I was with adidas and other brands, I didn't get to go through that kind of experience because they obviously have other players that they will use for their campaigns. With Umbro, they've given me that opportunity to see certain things that I wouldn't have previously. Doing things like making the adverts and videos to go with the Velocita and being able to see what goes on in the commercial side - I like to learn things. I'm very much a person that likes to experience more things in life and the brand has given me a great opportunity."
On the pitch, you have that flair element to your game. How would you describe yourself off the pitch?
"People call me "imaginative". I like to think of things. If I'm involved in something or a situation arises on and off the pitch, I like to think about three or four ways in which I could do something. Like when we shot the advert with Umbro. I was putting ideas in there and giving my thoughts on what I think would work better and stuff like that so that was enjoyable. I'm quite laid back too so when I'm open to anything and say for the video, where people might say "I'm not doing that", I just enjoyed being able to throw myself into it. I'll always get involved, play along and try and have banter with people."
What did you first think when you saw and held the Velocita 3? What are the first things that caught your eye?
"It's very lightweight and I like that. The sock around the ankle, there's no distraction there and it stabilises your feet and it hardly moves. Once you've got it on it fits like a sock and it's incredibly comfortable. I saw the boot maybe a month ago and was like, "can't I wear them now!" [laughs]. I've been asking them to bring the launch date forwards on a weekly basis because I like them so much. Now they're here, ready for me, I can't wait to wear them."
Visually they're big on the senses, how much does the 'don't get caught' mantra play into your character and your style of play?
"As a winger and an attacking player. I'm more likely going to be on the ball and the defender is going to be trying to catch me to try and get the ball off me so yeah. I definitely don't want to be caught! I do definitely want to get more goals so it ties into how I play nicely."
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Exclusive - Harry Redknapp insists West Ham players are behind boss Slaven Bilic and his job should not be under threat
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Harry Redknapp has given his backing to West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, insisting the Croatian shouldn't be under any pressure. Bilic enjoyed a successful first season in charge of the London club but has overseen a disappointing start to this campaign. The Hammers have lost seven of their opening 12 Premier League games, with Saturday's last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Tottenham leaving them just a point above the relegation zone. Reports have suggested that West Ham chiefs are considering whether to make a managerial change in an attempt to transform their fortunes, but Redknapp insists there should be no question marks over Bilic's future. The former West Ham boss told talkSPORT: "I can't see Slaven being under any pressure. "He had a great year last year. They have started the season with a few injuries and they played well at the weekend at Tottenham. "It was a real good performance - 2-1 up with four, five minutes to play - so it as not as if the team are not playing for him."
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West Ham United will listen to offers for Andy Carroll
HITC
Aiden Cusick
West Ham United are fourth from bottom of the Premier League. The Telegraph reports that West Ham United striker Andy Carroll is among 'a number of players' the club will consider offers for in the January transfer window. West Ham failed to properly address their striking options in the summer and have not scored a single goal courtesy of any of their recognised forwards this season.
Although Carroll can hardly be blamed for that, having been sidelined since the Hammers' opening day defeat to Chelsea, he is one of few - unlike summer loan signings Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri - whose departure could raise funds for reinforcements. Carroll moved to east London four years ago on an initial loan deal from Liverpool, later signing a permanent contract until 2019, and has scored 23 goals in 96 appearances. It is possible, however, that the nine-cap England international may wish to leave the area following an attempted gunpoint robbery on his way home from training earlier this month. The Sun reported this month that Carroll is a £20 million target for Chinese Super League sides Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou R&F.
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How West Ham hope to land Liverpool star: Ambitious plan preferred
WEST HAM reportedly wish to sign Daniel Sturridge on loan in January before landing him permanently from Liverpool in the summer.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 04:57, Tue, Nov 22, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:36, Tue, Nov 22, 2016
Express.co.uk
Express Sport understands the Hammers are front runners to land the England international. Slaven Bilic is desperate for firepower upfront with his position at the London Stadium also coming under increasing pressure. West Ham's precarious place in the Premier League table of 17th with 12 games gone has seen all their strikers fail to find the net. With Jurgen Klopp preferring Roberto Firmino to Sturridge at Anfield, Liverpool are ready to offload the 27-year-old. And according to website The West Ham Way, the Hammers will ideally look to secure Sturridge on a temporary basis this term, then buy him afterwards. The east London club's history of injury problems upfront, including former Liverpool forward Andy Carroll, makes them reluctant to commit immediately to the Reds striker. Sturridge's Merseyside career has been blighted by problems, but he has shown he is a proven Premier League goalscorer.
The potential deal would work similarly to that of how Simone Zaza arrived from Juventus in August, with West Ham looking to cancel the flop's spell in January to make space in the squad and free up wages. Liverpool are unlikely to accept a loan switch though with interest high in their out of favour forward. According to The Telegraph, West Ham are weighing up a £25m bid too, with that fee understood to be what Klopp's side would accept. Sturridge has lived in London before while at Chelsea, and regular game time at West Ham could entice him. However, Bilic must turn around results before then if he is to still be in charge by the transfer window. It is said ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on a return to England, and his Premier League success makes him attractive to the Hammers. But Bilic will be given more time, starting with Manchester United up next at Old Trafford on Sunday (4.30pm).
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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic under increasing pressure as owners consider other options
Matt Law, football news correspondent
21 NOVEMBER 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
Pressure is mounting on the position of West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic ahead of the run of games that could ultimately determine his future. Telegraph Sport understands West Ham chiefs have started to consider their options should they feel forced to make a change with Eddie Howe, Roberto Mancini, Rudi Garcia and Rafa Benitez all admired within the club. The heart-breaking last-gasp defeat to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur left West Ham just a point above the Premier League relegation zone with games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come.
Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, plus vice-chair Karren Brady, now fear West Ham could go into the busy Christmas period in the bottom three which would leave them a difficult decision to make on Bilic. Sullivan and Gold do not like sacking managers, and have been keen to give Bilic time to turn around the team's bad start to the season, but they cannot risk relegation just a year after their controversial move into the London Stadium. Fans have already voiced their displeasure regarding the new stadium that has experienced stewarding and safety problems, and trying to get anywhere near filling it in the Championship would be impossible.
It is not just results that have put pressure on Bilic, but also West Ham's summer transfer business that is yet to pay dividends. Simone Zaza, Arthur Masuaku and Gokhan Tore have all flopped, while £20million signing Andre Ayew has only just returned from injury. Havard Nordtveit came off the bench at White Hart Lane and needlessly gave away the penalty that gifted Tottenham all three points.
To make matters worse, it was West Ham's star man Dimitri Payet who Nordtveit had replaced. But Bilic defended the change by saying: "It was like five minutes to go, we were 2-1 up, from my point of view, for our point of view, it was a logical move to put on a fresh body. "He (Payet) was excellent but we thought, 'Ok it's like the end of the game, we are winning, let's hold on.' We wanted to score a third one but when we see them coming then you think you can resist it with one more player, a fresh body for five or seven, eight minutes."
West Ham's situation is in stark contrast to last season, when the likes of Payet and Manuel Lanzini shined and the team finished Bilic's first campaign in charge in seventh place. Bilic was appointed in 2015 on a three-year contract after West Ham missed out on top managerial targets Benitez, Unai Emery and Marcelo Bielsa.
Terminating the contract of Bilic would not be too costly to the Hammers and potential replacements have already been discussed by influential deal makers close to the club.
Howe has impressed greatly at Bournemouth, although West Ham are aware they would face a battle to convince the 38-year-old to leave the south coast for a relegation battle – particularly as he has already been touted for bigger jobs, such as Arsenal.
Similarly, it would be a major surprise if Benitez was prepared to give up a promotion chase with Newcastle United after pledging his future to the club in the summer and Marseille would fight to keep Garcia.
Mancini, however, is out of work after being sacked by Inter Milan and is thought to be keen on a return to England having attempted to work his way into the reckoning for the England job. His experience of winning the Premier League at Manchester City makes him an attractive proposition to West Ham, with many still believing he was harshly dismissed in 2013. Whoever is in charge in the New Year will be given funds to try to steer West Ham away from relegation danger and up the table. The club have been in talks with Chelsea regarding a number of players, including goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, right-back Branislav Ivanovic and youngsters Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke. West Ham are also keeping a close eye on the situation of Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool and are weighing up a bid in the region of £25m for the striker. Injury-plagued Andy Carroll is among a number of players the Hammers are willing to listen to offers for when the transfer window opens.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Martin Samuelsen was delighted to be back playing with his West Ham teammates and back on the scoresheet in the PL2 side's 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers. The Norwegian youngster, who has been on loan with Rovers this season, has found game time hard to come by this year with Owen Coyle's team, and made a brief return to West Ham's U23s for the second time in three weeks. He bagged the Hammers' only goal of the match in the seventh minute after a sweeping move, but his goal was not enough for the home side to take the three points. "It was a good team move. Calleri put a good cross in and Fletch held off the defender and showed composure to lay the ball off to me and it wasn't a bad finish," said Samuelsen. "I'd say it was a fair result but we had enough chances to win the game. In the second half, I came through and their keeper made a really good save. But probably, a draw was fair."
Despite not playing an awful lot for Blackburn's first team, Samuelsen has had a terrific year internationally. The 19-year-old has broken into Norway's senior side and scored his first goal for them in their 4-1 victory over San Marino in a World Cup qualifier in October. He was also part of the West Ham U23 side which won the Premier League Cup last season and he is still remaining positive despite his frustrating time so far at Blackburn. "I'm always happy to score and get the minutes today. I just enjoy playing football really, the last time I played was here for the U23s against West Brom so I'm delighted to be able to play today," he added. "At Blackburn I've been working hard and going in to train pretty much every day because I haven't been playing. I've been doing the extras to allow myself to be more fit when I get the chance to play."
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Hammers ready for FA Youth Cup tie
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's U18s begin what they hope will be a successful FA Youth Cup campaign this evening when they travel to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City. The Hammers have been in fine fettle this season in the U18 Premier League South and they were top of that league just a few weeks ago. Steve Potts' players go into tonight's match on the back of a last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, but they are still well in the mix to challenge for honours come the end of the season. Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development Terry Westley says the FA Youth Cup is the priority for the Academy system this season. "The priority will be on Tuesday against Stoke. So Nathan Trott, Declan Rice, Vashon Neufville, Dan Kemp who have been regular starters for the U23s will be rested to feature on Tuesday," he said. "We need to try and be competitive in it. We've had three years without not going through and that hurts the players and staff as much as anybody. "It would be nice to try and get a cup run going and with the way the U18s have been playing with Steve and Mark would suggest we would have a chance. If we play to our potential, I can see us doing well."
As mentioned, the Hammers love affair with the famous Cup competition has weakened over the last three years with three successive 3rd round exits. They lost 3-1 away at Derby County at this stage last season and will hope to make it fourth time lucky by qualifying for the next phase. West Ham last won the trophy in 1999 with a thumping 9-0 aggregate victory over Coventry City in the final, with a team featuring the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. "It's not been nice the last couple of years but we're hoping to do a lot better this season. Last season we had two weeks break before the match with Derby and it didn't work in our favour at all," said U18s assistant boss Mark Phillips. "Maybe playing three days before will work in our favour. We have needed this game (vs Spurs) to be sharper. Stoke have had a whole week's rest so it may work in our favour. We'll have to see."
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Learning Academy players take on Hammers youngsters
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Foundation Learning Academy students were given the chance of a lifetime last week, when they faced the Hammers Academy stars of the future in a friendly fixture at the Club's Little Heath training ground.
The Learning Academy side, made up of students who benefit from elite coaching and competitive football alongside their studies, with the aim of keeping them in education, were given the opportunity having been watched by Club staff at their Chadwell Heath training base and deemed strong enough to give the Hammers Academy side a competitive fixture.
The Learning Academy programme is open to 16-18 year olds, is free of charge thanks to funding sourced by delivery partners SCL Education, and is available at five centres across east London & Essex; Basildon, Beckton, Chadwell Heath, Chelmsford and Canvey Island.
Jordan Ambrose-Richardson, who represented the WHU Foundation Learning Academy side, spoke of the differences between the sides: "They understand the game so well and they pass the ball quickly. You have to get into position quickly and be pro-active. It's so tiring; you have to be so fit! I think I did well and I was the only player on our team to score, but they're so hard to keep up with! We could have kept a clean sheet in the second half, but they took advantage of our mistakes."
Jordan has played football from a young age and joined the Learning Academy with WHU Foundation having previously experienced life with a Club academy. He spoke highly of the programme, which allows him to complete assignments away from the classroom in order to allow maximum time playing football: "I like that our assignments are easily accessible and all online because I can work from home as well as at college. I'd definitely recommend it to others who might have been let go from an academy."
Whilst not strong enough to prevent an expected defeat on the day, the Learning Academy side – who have only been playing together since September - gave a strong account of themselves in difficult conditions, earning plaudits from WHU Academy staff and players alike.
Senior Academy Integration Officer Jim Hampsheir enthused: "The match was a fantastic opportunity for our players to showcase their ability, playing in a professional environment and testing themselves against one of the best academies in the country, if not the world. The players were treated like signed academy players on the day and got to experience how it would be if they did get signed by the club, having trained and played for the west ham elite second chance programme.
"The lads really tried to apply everything that we have been working on since the start of the season; they had to concentrate and work harder than ever due to the quality and movement of the West Ham United Academy players, It was a wet day which increased the speed that the ball was being played around and the tempo of the play.
"The match was a real education for our lads and showed them the standard that they will need to achieve to become a signed player."
Jim continued: "I must praise the lads for their persistence to play the right way and show great character throughout the match; their attitude was first class.
"All of the players were buzzing afterwards and keen to get into training on Monday following their incredible experience. The
image: http://www.whufc.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Foundation2.jpg
Foundationmatch was filmed just like any other Academy match and we will be using the footage to review and analyse individual performances to aid the football education process and development of the players.
"There is a lot of potential in the squad and we do our best to help every individual to be the best they can be and, ultimately, to achieve their dreams."
The Learning Academy programme will begin recruitment via trials for its next cohorts for all locations in early February 2017. For more details, please email Sam Taylor, staylor@westhamunited.co.uk
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Westley - Quina is one of Europe's best
WHUFC.com
Domingos Quina recently signed his first professional contract with West Ham
Academy Manager Terry Westley believes the youngster is one of Europe's best talents
The Portugal youth international has been sensational for the U23 side this season
Academy boss Terry Westley labelled teenage talent Domingos Quina one of Europe's finest young stars days after the Portuguese signed his first professional contract with the Hammers. The 17-year-old, who has enjoyed a terrific first season in east London so far, put pen to paper on a deal which will see him under contract at the Club until 2019. The Portugal youth international, who was a key player in his country's U17 European Championship triumph in Azerbaijan last summer, has excelled for the Hammers' U23 side this season. His terrific strike from just inside the opposition Leicester City's half in the Premier League Cup earlier this term has been a standout moment, and Westley believes Quina has got everything to grow into a world class footballer. He said: "It's great news for the Academy, it's great news for the first team squad and the manager Slaven [Bilic], and great news from a brand and PR perspective with the board and directors backing the Club to move forward with a talent as big as what he could be. "[The deal] shows how far we have come in recent years, attracting the very best talent, not only just in England but in Europe, he's that good. "He's got that star quality and for him to commit long-term to us is great news. "I think, for a 16-year-old, to be playing every week in your U23s, and being one of the better players in the league, [it's great]. I haven't seen any players in our league who can dominate a game like he can and break the lines and go past people like he can."
The midfielder, who will be in action on Tuesday night for the Club's U18s as they take on Stoke City in the FA Youth Cup, has been deployed as a deep midfielder in recent weeks for the PL2 squad, and Westley believes the youngster is perfectly suited to the role.
"People, analysts, talk about players 90 per cent keeping the ball, but they've kept it safe," Westley continued. "This boy tries real high tariff passes. "He tries to split defences, he'll try the outrageous against Leicester and score from nearly his own half. He's got that star quality and to do things different to other players. "That shows his calibre and how good he is to be one of the best players in the U23 league already at the tender age of 16 and now coming on to 17. "This season, I'd love him to have a game in the Prem! I'd love him to show our supporters and our staff and players, younger players in the Academy, that it can be done. I truly believe he's of that quality."
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Domingos Quina - Ten Fast Facts
WHUFC.com
Here are ten fast facts you may not have known about 17-year-old sensation Domingos Quina, who recently signed his first professional contract with West Ham…
The midfielder was born in west African country Guinea-Bissau but moved to Portugal as a youngster
The teenager has represented Portugal at U17, U18 and U19 level despite only just turning 17
Quina initially signed for the Hammers on scholarship terms during the summer but recently put pen to paper on a deal which will see him remain at the Club until 2019
Was a star player for his national U17 side which won the U17 European Championships in Azerbaijan during the summer
He started the final victory over Spain and scored in the group stage fixture against Scotland
Quina has already played twice for the Hammers' first team in competitive matches – in both early season Europa League ties against NK Domzale
He also featured in the Club's official opening match at the new London Stadium against Juventus
The 17-year-old has starred for the PL2 side this term, more recently being deployed as a deep midfielder where he sees lots of the ball
Bagged a wonder goal against Leicester in the Premier League Cup, scoring from just inside the opposition's half, lobbing the goalkeeper (above)
Quina has already been praised aplenty by boss Slaven Bilic, who said "if he doesn't make it, nobody will"
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Obiang and Fletcher surprise families
WHUFC.com
The London Stadium Tours have proved to be a big success with West Ham supporters this season as fans get a major insight into life at London Stadium. From walking out the tunnel to going behind-the-scenes in the dressing room, these are just a few of the big features that make the London Stadium tours a must for every West Ham United fan. All generations of Hammers fans have enjoyed the experience and this proved to be the case once again for the Baker, Karir and Sinclair families who had a big surprise in store when they went on a London Stadium Tour. As they made their way into the dressing room first-team stars Ashley Fletcher and Pedro Obiang were waiting to greet them and made it a night for them to remember at London Stadium. Fletcher said he was pleased to play his part and knows what it means to the fans when they get the chance to meet up with the players. Fletcher said: "It was a great gesture from the Club to put this event on for the fans. "It enables the relationship between the fans and the Club to get even stronger. I was happy to come along with Pedro and help out."
Obiang was also happy to make the night even more special for the Hammers fans and says he hopes many more will come and see the tour in the near future.
Obiang said: "I think it's a big surprise because when you come and see two players from the team, it's great and it's amazing."
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#WHUAREYA - Toni Martinez
WHUFC.com
There was plenty of excitement in the summer when the Hammers tied down the signature of young Spanish talent Toni Martinez.
And the forward did nothing to detract from the excitement, bagging seven goals in his first seven competitive matches.
Though the teenager picked up an injury that has ruled him out of the last month's fixtures, the striker is on the road to recovery and can't wait to get back amongst things for Terry Westley's men.
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FT - Stoke City 2-2 West Ham United U18
WHUFC.com
Heartbreak in the shootout as two Mate Deczki saves helps Stoke to a 4-2 victory.
FULL TIME: It finishes 2-2! Nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes, so we go to penalties.
120 (ET): One minute to be played of added time. 2-2.
119 (ET): Great save by Deczki in the Stoke goal. Domingos Quina shoots hard from 25 yards and at full stretch the Stoke man parries it clear. 2-2
117 (ET): West Ham with much of the possession in these latter stages but have been unable to create anything of real substance. Penalties just minutes away now. 2-2.
110 (ET): Both teams look to be tiring understandably. Can West Ham find one more chance and get themselves a precious goal? 2-2
106 (ET): A quick turnaround and the second half of extra time is underway. Early chance for Jordon Greenidge but his header is easily collected by Trott. 2-2.
105 (ET): That's it for the first half of extra-time and still nothing to separate the sides. Jordon Greenidge's miss the pick of the chances. Second half to come shortly. 2-2.
103 (ET): More good play in midfield by Stoke City but have, as yet, not troubled Nathan Trott in the West Ham goal. 2-2
98 (ET): Massive chance for Stoke City. Jordon Greenidge receives it in the box, turns his man well and with just the keeper to beat from six yards, he places it well wide. Let off for West Ham.
95 (ET): Short break in play as Stoke City's Cameron McJannet receives treatment on the field. 2-2
91 (ET): Extra-Time change for The Hammers as Korrey Henry replaces Alfie Lewis.
Full Time (in 90 mins): Nothing to separate the sides after 90 minutes so we will play a further 30 minutes of extra time.
90+1: Great chance for Stoke. Thomas Edwards picks up on the right hand side of the box, fires at goal but thankfully Declan Rice is there to block and concede the corner. 2-2.
90: 3 minutes of added time to be played.
87: Yellow card for Conor Coventry who brings down the Stoke man on half way. 2-2
82: Stoke City change - Tyrese Campbell comes off for Kristofer Szereto. 2-2.
78: First change for West Ham as Anthony Scully replaces Joe Powell. 2-2.
76: Still 2-2 here at the Bet365 Stadium. It's been a much better response by the West Ham boys after a slow start to the second half. Hopefully a big finish to come. 2-2.
69: Brilliant save by Nathan Trott! Thibaud Verlinden's strike from 25-yards looked destined for the top corner but Trott's fingertips are enough to see the ball cannon in to the crossbar. 2-2
64: WEST HAM GOAL! Excellent build-up play finds Danny Kemp on the right side who's cross lays up Jahmal Hector-Ingram for a simple header from close-range. 2-2.
60: Not the start to the second half we would have wanted but the young Hammers have responded well to the double-setback. Still time to turn this around. 2-1.
53: Goal for Stoke. A second in as many minutes as Tyrese Campbell breaks free to slot past Nathan Trott from the edge of the box. 2-1
52: Goal for Stoke. The hosts have started brightly and equalise through Thomas Edwards from close range. 1-1.
46: We're back underway here after the half-time interval. No changes, Hammers leading 0-1.
Half Time: Jahmal Hector-Ingram's strike gives us the one goal advantage at the break.
45: Another excellent chance for The Hammers. Domingos Quina the architect down the left hand side, he cuts it back to Danny Kemp on the edge of the box who fires just wide. 0-1
43: Hector-Ingram again the man causing trouble, this time he dribbles his way around a defender into the Stoke box but is unable find a teammate. 0-1
36: Best chance of the game for the hosts as Jordan Greenidge picks it up 20 yards from goal but his effort just goes wide. 0-1
35: We're still looking comfortable and Jahmal Hector-Ingram is causing trouble for the Stoke defenders, but no more chances since the last update. 0-1
28: West Ham really growing in to this game now and beginning to take control. Quina the latest to go close, but his shot from outside of the box goes over. 0-1
24: Yellow card this time for Stoke City's Louis Da Silva. Danny Kemp's free-kick is then eventually collected by Mate Deczki and Stoke clear. 0-1
20: The hosts looking comfortable on the ball in midfield but rarely threatening our goal. West Ham still leading 0-1.
15: West Ham's Ben Johnson booked for a foul just outside our own box. Following free-kick sent high over the bar. 0-1
10: GOALLL! Lovely ball forward by Joe Powell who finds Jahmal Hector-Ingram in the box. The forward calmly takes it under control and slots under the keeper's body from close-range. 0-1
8: Chance for West Ham as the hosts half-heartedly clear the ball from their own box only as far as Conor Coventry whos volley goes wide. 0-0
5: Lively start to this encounter with half chances at both ends. West Ham just beginning to bring the ball down and play with more confidence. 0-0
1: Fabulous save from Nathan Trott as Stoke City's Tyrese Campbell cuts in from the right and shoots low towards the bottom corner. The shot is parried wide and the subsequent corner is cleared. 0-0
Kick Off: We're underway at the Bet365 Stadium!
West Ham last tasted success in this prestigious competition in 1999 and will hope that tonight marks the end of a three-year spell in which we have tasted successive 3rd round exits. There is also a start tonight for 17-year old Domingos Quina, who yesterday signed his first professional contract with The Hammers.
6.45pm: The warm-ups are complete and the teams are making their way back down the tunnel with kick-off just 15 minutes away.
West Ham United: Trott, Johnson, Neufville, Akinola, Rice, Coventry, Lewis, Kemp, Quina, Powell, Hector-Ingram.
Subs: Wells, Matrevics, Longelo, Henry, Scully.
Stoke City: Deczki; Edwards, McJannet, Dunwoody, Read, Da Silva, Verlinden, Sorensen, Greenidge, Campbell, Twyford.
Subs: Butler, Allen, Szereto, Balde, Diallo.
6pm: Hello and welcome from the bet365 Stadium! Tonight, our young Hammers take on Stoke City in their first clash in this year's FA Youth Cup. We haven't had the best of times in this competition in recent years, so let's hope tonight we can turn that around and progress to the next round! The visitors are to field a strong side this evening - team news to follow shortly.
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Date set for Ladies trials
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies FC are looking for players aged 16 or over to join the team at an exciting time in their history.
Having recently joined the West Ham United family, the team are hosting a trials event to develop the Ladies teams, and add to the current pool of players.
West Ham United Ladies FC currently consists of four junior and two senior teams, with structured and progressive coaching provided to talented female footballers from coaches within the men's Academy. West Ham United Ladies philosophy is long term development over short term success, and our players are provided with support covering all aspects of the game, both on and off the pitch.
The Ladies train twice a week, with an optional third session also available. Match fixtures tend to be played on a Sunday, with some midweek fixtures throughout the season.
Do you share our ambition? Do you want to be part of the newly structured West Ham United Ladies FC?
Trial Date
Wednesday 7 December 2016
8pm-9:45pm
Age: 16+
Location: West Ham Academy, Saville Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, RM6 6DT
Players wishing to attend the Ladies trials must register with Head Coach Karen Ray no later than Wednesday 30 November. To register, please email Karen directly: kray@westhamunited.co.uk.
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Retractable seating back on the agenda?
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd November 2016
By: Staff Writer
The Olympic Stadium could be set for yet more upheaval after it was claimed that the arena's operators are currently considering replacing the much-maligned temporary seating. Although West Ham fans were informed prior to the move to Stratford that fully retractable seating was to be installed inside the arena in order to bring the stands closer to the pitch, the reality turned out to be something quite different.
Instead of stands that have been installed on wheels, as is common elsewhere at grounds featuring running tracks, the (cheaper) solution provided at Stratford involves completely dismantling the stands after use (ie at the end of the football season). And instead of the seven-day turnaround that fully-retractable seating would require, the current solution requires up to three weeks to implement - something that, it has been claimed, has led the arena's operators to consider ripping out the existing infrastructure, according to a source close to the project. "The big cost is not simply the dismantling and rebuilding of the temporary stands every time - It's the nine days it takes to do and the lost income that leads to," the source wrote on construction forum skyscrapercity.com. "That means for a one day event, the Olympic Stadium needs nearly three weeks between football matches. Long term that means it is almost impossible to make money from because it means only the summer spell can be used. "Spurs will soon have the option of a major all-year events programme; the O2, Twickenham etc all can too due to relative infrequency of use. The Olympic Stadium will find itself competing for events not only with those big venues, but with seasonal rivals too (the royal parks are now big venues for summer festivals). "Since events are the main means of the owners making money, and with some weekends in summer likely to include athletics meets (a contractual obligation) and thus diminishing revenue opportunities too), the implications are huge."
The source also revealed how the stadium operators, LS185, and their partners were considering reducing the stadium's 57,000 capacity whilst work is undertaken - all of which could add another £50m to the stadium's costs, which already exceeds £700m. "The owners are looking at a schedule, possibly one stand at a time of reduced capacity, to install actual retractable seating (with all the mechanics that involves)," the source added. "That is likely to cost tens of millions at best, and take years due to having to accommodate the sitting tenant. "It may also see big payments made to West Ham if the contracts specify availability of stands for matches."
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Martin Samuelsen: Blackburn Rovers terminate West Ham winger's loan spell
BBC.co.uk
Blackburn Rovers have ended the season-long loan spell of Norway winger Martin Samuelsen and he has returned to parent club West Ham United. The 19-year-old joined Rovers in August, but he made just two starts in four outings at Ewood Park. He scored for the Hammers against Rovers in Premier League Two on Monday. "Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that," boss Owen Coyle told the club website. "So we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
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EXWHUEMPLOYEE EXCLUSIVE COLUMN: POSSIBLE MANAGER AND PLAYER TARGETS LISTED
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 21 NOVEMBER 2016 AT 10:37PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
What a frustrating result that was against Spurs. It was the first time this season I had felt comfortable with the team selection and the formation and it was nice to have a recognised forward starting and someone who we know can score in the Premier League.
I thought we played well and in particular Winston Reid and Cheik Kouyate were superb. I thought Lanzini was industrious in midfield and that Spurs were afraid of Payet. This is why he shouldn't have been taken off and why I believe the subs costs us.
Payet was our main outlet and the player Spurs were most fearful of and it meant they didn't push on with as much freedom as they did once he left. He should have stayed on the field in my eyes. I agreed Sakho should have gone off because he was looking tired but I would have put on Fletcher who has proven he is a good person to put on to hold the ball up and use pace to worry the opposition. I would have also brought on Collins instead of Nordveit, who has looked off the pace all season and push Kouyate into defensive midfield. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but it was very disappointing especially as all three goals that Spurs scored had individual mistakes by us in them.
Another frustrating thing to come out of the Spurs game was the lack of coverage some of the Spurs fans got in comparison with the ludicrous headlines that greeted us after matches at the Olympic stadium. I have heard from many of you who attended the match saying how Tottenham fans were steaming in and taking out random West Ham fans, as well as coin throwing. Had this been the other way round at the London Stadium you know this would have been covered all over the press.
The board, whilst backing Bilic 100% at this point are becoming quite worried/frustrated with recent results and performances. Whilst I think Bilic is safe for the short term, should these results continue and our Premier League survival be in doubt then I think the club would act unlike what happened under Avram Grant. Although this is all speculation at the moment I know the club really like Mancini and that he would be keen to move here. Benitez was obviously a big target before we got Bilic but would he be persuaded to leave high flying Newcastle for us? Likewise we like Eddie Howe but I am not sure whether he could be persuaded either. There are also some foreign alternatives and some in the championship (although these are unlikely) including former targets Bielsa and De Boer but like I said Bilic for the time being is safe.
The board have a real dilemma on whether they will back Bilic in the January window or a new man. Sturridge is someone that the club would love to get on loan for the season with the potential for a permanent deal in the summer. There are some concerns regarding his injury record so a loan deal could be the way round this. It was thought that we may try and persuade Giroud to join us as well but his recent form for Arsenal could prevent them from selling him as well as a lot of competition from other clubs. A forward is the key as it really should be and a number of players are being scouted at the moment. Dembele of Celtic and Lookman of Charlton are players that have been watched, which Hammers Chat reported in the week, and Mandžukić of Juventus too who could come in to save his fellow Croatian. Lukasz Teodorczyk is a Polish forward on loan at Anderlecht, we could try to buy out his loan and take him permanently to the club. There is a few other players from the German and French leagues have been scouted too. Many supporters are calling for Jermain Defoe to return, should he be available for a move I think we would do it as we have made two previous approaches under the current board of directors.
We will also move for a right back. Iorfa of Wolves is someone we are keen on, plus the potential of loaning Jenkinson for the season hasn't left our minds. Without doubt the right back situation will be addressed, Jon Flanagan the Liverpool right back, who has recently returned from a loan from Burnley may be an option too. Glen Johnson's name has been discussed as well for some Premier League experience and someone who can also play right back and wing back.
As I mentioned in my last column we have looked at Chelsea and Liverpool players as is mentioned above but this also includes Dominic Solanke whose contract is due to expire in the summer. We are also expected to allow Tore, Calleri and Zaza to have their loan deals terminated to free up wages and squad space.
It is great news that Quina has signed a new contract with the club and Oxford is set to sign very shortly. Reece turns 18 on the 16th December and so the club will be able to tie him to a long term deal from that point which he now seems keen to do. It is expected that a number of other promising youngsters will also sign new deals soon.
eventsOur West Ham Way Event is really selling well and we are delighted to have Frank McAvennie and Mark Ward answering questions in a specially designed "West Ham" venue. There will also be a number of other famous West Ham fans in attendance and we would love to see more of you there. If you are still unsure free coach travel to the London Stadium and free beer should persuade you. Even if you don't have a match ticket the game will be shown at the venue. You can buy tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/all-tickets/22834/293a/
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FORGOTTEN MAN: MIKE SMALL
BY EXWHUEMPLOYEE ON 22 NOVEMBER 2016 AT 9:01PM
TehWestHamWay.co.uk
Andy Carroll's injured. Everyone else is rubbish. West Ham need a target man desperately or we're getting relegated. Guess what? We've been here before. In the first of a new series, Sid Lambert (@sid_lambert) looks back at the strange selection of West Ham strikers that littered the 1990s.
For ten years, Mike Small did little of note in professional football.
After failing at Luton and Peterborough, he jobbed from club to club, enduring stints in Holland, Belgium and Greece in search of a regular home. There were brief flashes of success, including a short spell at Vitesse Arnhem in 1987, but little to suggest that he would succeed at a higher level.
Finally, in 1990, the 28-year-old nomad pitched up in Brighton.
And then everything changed.
Small battered his way through the Second Division, notching 21 goals in all competitions. His goals powered the Seagulls to the play-offs and convinced West Ham boss Billy Bonds to make a move for him.
Bonds had guided us to the top flight at the second attempt. Ludek Miklosko, Colin Foster and Steve Potts had been stalwarts in the Second Division's most meagre defence. However, goals had been hard to come by. Only Trevor Morley (12) and Frank McAvennie (10) had hit double figures on league duty and it took cameos from Iain Dowie and veteran Jimmy Quinn to get us over the line.
With Dowie departed, Bonds needed a physical presence up front. Small fit the bill perfectly. He was in-form and, more importantly, very affordable at just £400,000.
Incredibly, Small took that red-hot form straight into the top tier. He took just two games to get off the mark, scoring in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. In the next home game he scored as the Hammers beat Aston Villa 3-1. We had five points from our first four games and had only suffered defeat once. Things were looking promising.
As is the West Ham way, that promise started to fade.
But Small's ruthlessness in front of goal didn't. He scored in successive games against Chelsea, Norwich and Crystal Palace, where a precious three points kept us out of the relegation zone.
It wasn't just sheer volume, Small was scoring every type of goal: tap-ins, headers, one-on-ones. The Birmingham-born man was brimming with confidence. Everything he hit turned to gold.
A seven-day spell at the end of October 1991 was Small's finest hour in claret and blue. He scored the equaliser – cancelling out an early strike from Gary Lineker – as we beat Tottenham 2-1 at Upton Park. In midweek a penalty helped us to a 2-0 League Cup win at Sheffield United before we travelled to Highbury to face George Graham's Arsenal.
After absorbing heavy pressure throughout, the marauding Mitchell Thomas led a rare Hammers' break into the Arsenal half. Tim Breacker fed the ball to Small, who easily eluded Tony Adams before unleashing a left-foot screamer past David Seaman. In a split-second he'd embarrassed two of England's very best.
West Ham won 1-0 and two successive wins against north London rivals put us into the heady heights of 14th place.
Small had scored 13 goals in just 19 starts. That was a record to eclipse even the likes of McAvennie and Cottee.
In just three short months he'd become a folk hero. By now, he was the country's in-form striker and there were even whispers that Graham Taylor might consider him for England duty.
The only thing to match his meteoric rise was the fall that followed.
It took three months for Small to score again, a winner at Luton Town. By now, we were mired in the bottom three. Small's confidence, like the team, had completely evaporated. The first touch was less assured and the finishing hesitant.
Upton Park was an unforgiving place back then. Every moan and groan from the terraces seemed to weigh upon his shoulders. The big man was shrinking before our very eyes. He scored only three more times as we finished rock bottom.
Small's rapid decline is hard to explain. A niggling back injury didn't help. But even when he was fit, he never rediscovered the form of old. He plummeted down the pecking order at Upton Park. Within two years, he was drifting aimlessly around Irish League football.
Mention his name now and it evokes many a wistful glance from the West Ham fans that saw him, still struggling to work out where it all went so wrong.
For three glorious months Mike Small was one of the best strikers in the country.
Let's try and remember him that way.
As well as contributing to TWHW, Sid Lambert is a freelance writer specialising in 90s football. His new book, Cashing In, is now on sale. Set during the dawn of the Premier League, it tells the story of Ray Cash, a talented young player thrust into England's top-flight. As money and fame change football forever, Ray encounters the ugly reality behind the beautiful game.
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Martin Samuelsen returns to West Ham after ending Blackburn loan spell
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 22/11/16 4:35pm
SSN
Martin Samuelsen has returned to West Ham after cutting short his season-long loan at Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The Norway international joined Rovers in August, but found his first-team opportunities limited at Ewood Park. He featured only four times for Owen Coyle's side, his last appearance coming in the goalless draw with Ipswich on October 15. Coyle told the club's website: "We had a good chat and Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that, so we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
The 19-year-old scored for West Ham's development squad in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Tuesday in their Premier League 2 fixture at Dagenham & Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium. Samuelsen joined West Ham on a free transfer in June 2015 following his release from Manchester City and spent last season on loan at Sky Bet League One side Peterborough, scoring two goals in 20 appearances.
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West Ham United: Roberto Mancini on shortlist to replace Bilic
calciomercato.com
22 November at 17:04
According to reports in The Telegraph, pressure is mounting on West Ham United coach Slaven Bilic. Last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Spurs has forced club executives to consider lining-up a successor to the former Croatian international.
Ex Inter and Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini is one of the names reportedly on the club's shortlist as well as current Bournemouth number one Eddie Howe, former Napoli and Real Madrid and current coach of Newcastle United, Rafa Benitez and Marseille boss Rudi Garcia, who was reportedly linked with the Hammers before he returned to France.
West Ham sit just one point above the relegation zone with some big games coming up before Christmas against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold have given Bilic the chance to turn round an awful start to the new campaign but feel that time is running out if they are to avoid getting into a relegation dogfight.
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Samuelsen returns to West Ham
Posted: Tue 22 Nov 2016
Author: rovers.co.uk
Norway international Martin Samuelsen has returned to West Ham United with immediate effect. The 19-year-old winger joined Rovers on a season-long loan deal in August, but has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Ewood Park. Having made just two starts and two substitute appearances in Rovers' colours, Samuelsen has now returned to his parent club. Rovers boss Owen Coyle said: "We had a good chat and Martin's family felt that he wanted to be starting games and at this moment in time we couldn't guarantee him that, so we agreed that it was in his best interest to return to West Ham. He's a great lad and we wish him well."
Last night, Samuelsen opened the scoring for West Ham in the 1-1 draw against Rovers in the Premier League 2 fixture at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
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MICHAIL ANTONIO TALKS UMBRO & THE VELOCITA 3
Interviews Tuesday 22 November 2016 @ 10:23
soccerbible.com
Scoring six goals already this season, Michail Antonio is an attacking player who has almost reached his entire total from last years run out. A double diamond player in the form of his life, we caught up with him behind the scenes as he prepared to launch the Umbro Velocita 3.
What do you remember of Umbro when you were growing up? They're such an iconically English brand.
"Such great memories. Umbro were one of the first boots I had growing up. The Speciali's ― they were the first boots I ever had. Umbro is an icon brand, it's just easy to forget their history. If you think back, Umbro was everywhere at one stage. So many footballers were wearing their boots. Because Nike bought them and then sold them, it affected the brand. This is about bringing Umbro back to where it should be."
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The Double Diamond has retro cool but also has a tech savvy focus when you look at the Velocita 3. How much do you see your boots as your tools?
"Definitely. Your boots are your life basically. Football is my life right now and my boots in that respect are what I do my life in. So if I don't have the right pair of boots, I'm not going to be able to perform. If the boots are going to affect my feet, it's going to affect the way I play because I play with my feet. I'm not a keeper! [laughs]."
"If the boots aren't doing right for me, the boots aren't doing right for my career. For the last four years of my career I had been wearing adidas boots, this year I've changed to Umbro and it's not had a negative effect on my career in any shape or form. I've tried other brands and tried to play with Nike but it just wouldn't work out for me. It's just about getting everything together to make sure I'm playing as well as I can."
"I think right now I'm playing the best football of my life and the best season I've ever had right now. I've scored six goals already this season and I'm just going to keep pushing on."
What have been your impressions having now been able to get a behind the scenes look at how a brand works, is that something that interests you?
"You manage to see the other side of things when you start working with a brand like this. I really enjoy it. When I was with adidas and other brands, I didn't get to go through that kind of experience because they obviously have other players that they will use for their campaigns. With Umbro, they've given me that opportunity to see certain things that I wouldn't have previously. Doing things like making the adverts and videos to go with the Velocita and being able to see what goes on in the commercial side - I like to learn things. I'm very much a person that likes to experience more things in life and the brand has given me a great opportunity."
On the pitch, you have that flair element to your game. How would you describe yourself off the pitch?
"People call me "imaginative". I like to think of things. If I'm involved in something or a situation arises on and off the pitch, I like to think about three or four ways in which I could do something. Like when we shot the advert with Umbro. I was putting ideas in there and giving my thoughts on what I think would work better and stuff like that so that was enjoyable. I'm quite laid back too so when I'm open to anything and say for the video, where people might say "I'm not doing that", I just enjoyed being able to throw myself into it. I'll always get involved, play along and try and have banter with people."
What did you first think when you saw and held the Velocita 3? What are the first things that caught your eye?
"It's very lightweight and I like that. The sock around the ankle, there's no distraction there and it stabilises your feet and it hardly moves. Once you've got it on it fits like a sock and it's incredibly comfortable. I saw the boot maybe a month ago and was like, "can't I wear them now!" [laughs]. I've been asking them to bring the launch date forwards on a weekly basis because I like them so much. Now they're here, ready for me, I can't wait to wear them."
Visually they're big on the senses, how much does the 'don't get caught' mantra play into your character and your style of play?
"As a winger and an attacking player. I'm more likely going to be on the ball and the defender is going to be trying to catch me to try and get the ball off me so yeah. I definitely don't want to be caught! I do definitely want to get more goals so it ties into how I play nicely."
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Exclusive - Harry Redknapp insists West Ham players are behind boss Slaven Bilic and his job should not be under threat
By talkSPORT - @talkSPORT
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Harry Redknapp has given his backing to West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, insisting the Croatian shouldn't be under any pressure. Bilic enjoyed a successful first season in charge of the London club but has overseen a disappointing start to this campaign. The Hammers have lost seven of their opening 12 Premier League games, with Saturday's last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Tottenham leaving them just a point above the relegation zone. Reports have suggested that West Ham chiefs are considering whether to make a managerial change in an attempt to transform their fortunes, but Redknapp insists there should be no question marks over Bilic's future. The former West Ham boss told talkSPORT: "I can't see Slaven being under any pressure. "He had a great year last year. They have started the season with a few injuries and they played well at the weekend at Tottenham. "It was a real good performance - 2-1 up with four, five minutes to play - so it as not as if the team are not playing for him."
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West Ham United will listen to offers for Andy Carroll
HITC
Aiden Cusick
West Ham United are fourth from bottom of the Premier League. The Telegraph reports that West Ham United striker Andy Carroll is among 'a number of players' the club will consider offers for in the January transfer window. West Ham failed to properly address their striking options in the summer and have not scored a single goal courtesy of any of their recognised forwards this season.
Although Carroll can hardly be blamed for that, having been sidelined since the Hammers' opening day defeat to Chelsea, he is one of few - unlike summer loan signings Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri - whose departure could raise funds for reinforcements. Carroll moved to east London four years ago on an initial loan deal from Liverpool, later signing a permanent contract until 2019, and has scored 23 goals in 96 appearances. It is possible, however, that the nine-cap England international may wish to leave the area following an attempted gunpoint robbery on his way home from training earlier this month. The Sun reported this month that Carroll is a £20 million target for Chinese Super League sides Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou R&F.
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How West Ham hope to land Liverpool star: Ambitious plan preferred
WEST HAM reportedly wish to sign Daniel Sturridge on loan in January before landing him permanently from Liverpool in the summer.
By JACK STAPLEHURST
PUBLISHED: 04:57, Tue, Nov 22, 2016 | UPDATED: 07:36, Tue, Nov 22, 2016
Express.co.uk
Express Sport understands the Hammers are front runners to land the England international. Slaven Bilic is desperate for firepower upfront with his position at the London Stadium also coming under increasing pressure. West Ham's precarious place in the Premier League table of 17th with 12 games gone has seen all their strikers fail to find the net. With Jurgen Klopp preferring Roberto Firmino to Sturridge at Anfield, Liverpool are ready to offload the 27-year-old. And according to website The West Ham Way, the Hammers will ideally look to secure Sturridge on a temporary basis this term, then buy him afterwards. The east London club's history of injury problems upfront, including former Liverpool forward Andy Carroll, makes them reluctant to commit immediately to the Reds striker. Sturridge's Merseyside career has been blighted by problems, but he has shown he is a proven Premier League goalscorer.
The potential deal would work similarly to that of how Simone Zaza arrived from Juventus in August, with West Ham looking to cancel the flop's spell in January to make space in the squad and free up wages. Liverpool are unlikely to accept a loan switch though with interest high in their out of favour forward. According to The Telegraph, West Ham are weighing up a £25m bid too, with that fee understood to be what Klopp's side would accept. Sturridge has lived in London before while at Chelsea, and regular game time at West Ham could entice him. However, Bilic must turn around results before then if he is to still be in charge by the transfer window. It is said ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on a return to England, and his Premier League success makes him attractive to the Hammers. But Bilic will be given more time, starting with Manchester United up next at Old Trafford on Sunday (4.30pm).
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West Ham manager Slaven Bilic under increasing pressure as owners consider other options
Matt Law, football news correspondent
21 NOVEMBER 2016 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
Pressure is mounting on the position of West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic ahead of the run of games that could ultimately determine his future. Telegraph Sport understands West Ham chiefs have started to consider their options should they feel forced to make a change with Eddie Howe, Roberto Mancini, Rudi Garcia and Rafa Benitez all admired within the club. The heart-breaking last-gasp defeat to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur left West Ham just a point above the Premier League relegation zone with games against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come.
Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, plus vice-chair Karren Brady, now fear West Ham could go into the busy Christmas period in the bottom three which would leave them a difficult decision to make on Bilic. Sullivan and Gold do not like sacking managers, and have been keen to give Bilic time to turn around the team's bad start to the season, but they cannot risk relegation just a year after their controversial move into the London Stadium. Fans have already voiced their displeasure regarding the new stadium that has experienced stewarding and safety problems, and trying to get anywhere near filling it in the Championship would be impossible.
It is not just results that have put pressure on Bilic, but also West Ham's summer transfer business that is yet to pay dividends. Simone Zaza, Arthur Masuaku and Gokhan Tore have all flopped, while £20million signing Andre Ayew has only just returned from injury. Havard Nordtveit came off the bench at White Hart Lane and needlessly gave away the penalty that gifted Tottenham all three points.
To make matters worse, it was West Ham's star man Dimitri Payet who Nordtveit had replaced. But Bilic defended the change by saying: "It was like five minutes to go, we were 2-1 up, from my point of view, for our point of view, it was a logical move to put on a fresh body. "He (Payet) was excellent but we thought, 'Ok it's like the end of the game, we are winning, let's hold on.' We wanted to score a third one but when we see them coming then you think you can resist it with one more player, a fresh body for five or seven, eight minutes."
West Ham's situation is in stark contrast to last season, when the likes of Payet and Manuel Lanzini shined and the team finished Bilic's first campaign in charge in seventh place. Bilic was appointed in 2015 on a three-year contract after West Ham missed out on top managerial targets Benitez, Unai Emery and Marcelo Bielsa.
Terminating the contract of Bilic would not be too costly to the Hammers and potential replacements have already been discussed by influential deal makers close to the club.
Howe has impressed greatly at Bournemouth, although West Ham are aware they would face a battle to convince the 38-year-old to leave the south coast for a relegation battle – particularly as he has already been touted for bigger jobs, such as Arsenal.
Similarly, it would be a major surprise if Benitez was prepared to give up a promotion chase with Newcastle United after pledging his future to the club in the summer and Marseille would fight to keep Garcia.
Mancini, however, is out of work after being sacked by Inter Milan and is thought to be keen on a return to England having attempted to work his way into the reckoning for the England job. His experience of winning the Premier League at Manchester City makes him an attractive proposition to West Ham, with many still believing he was harshly dismissed in 2013. Whoever is in charge in the New Year will be given funds to try to steer West Ham away from relegation danger and up the table. The club have been in talks with Chelsea regarding a number of players, including goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, right-back Branislav Ivanovic and youngsters Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Dominic Solanke. West Ham are also keeping a close eye on the situation of Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool and are weighing up a bid in the region of £25m for the striker. Injury-plagued Andy Carroll is among a number of players the Hammers are willing to listen to offers for when the transfer window opens.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 22
Daily WHUFC News - 22nd November 2016
Loan round up
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke played as Wigan Athletic picked up their first point under Warren Joyce
Josh Cullen and Lewis Page were also in action in League One
Martin Samuelsen and George Dobson were unused substitutes in their respective loan sides' clashes
Reece Burke returned to action following last week's international break, helping Wigan Athletic secure their first point under new boss Warren Joyce in the Championship on Saturday. The Latics stood firm in the clash against Yorkshire opponents Barnsley at Oakwell, recording a clean sheet to frustrate the hosts who picked up their third consecutive draw. Burke – who has now started Wigan's last four matches at right-back – was making his sixth appearance in total, having recovered from an injury which ruled him out of September and much of October. Yanic Wildschut was guilty of spurning Burke's side's best opportunity, as he failed to connect with an effort which went straight into the hands of Tykes keeper Adam Davies.
Elsewhere, Josh Cullen again started for Bradford City in League One, however the Bantams were convincingly beaten 3-0 at the hands of Southend United. Will Atkinson gave the hosts the lead just 14 minutes into the encounter, but James Hanson went close to pulling Bradford level when he headed against the crossbar from Mike Marshall's delivery. City could not trouble Southend stopper Mark Oxley a great deal however, and Atkinson doubled the Shrimpers' lead with just under 20 minutes remaining. Four minutes from time, Marc Antoine-Fortune's cross was diverted into his own goal by Romain Vincelot to add a gloss to the scoreline for United and condemn high-flying Bradford to only their second league defeat.
Finally, Lewis Page was also in action in League One, playing 90 minutes for Coventry City, though the Sky Blues were also on the end of a humbling defeat. Mark Venus' side travelled to Oxford United and were comfortably beaten 4-1 thanks to home goals from Kane Hemmings, Chris Maguire and Alex MacDonald, as well as a Jamie Sterry own goal. Marcus Tudgay grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot deep into injury time, though Coventry's attentions had already turned to Tuesday's clash at Bolton Wanderers.
Back in the second tier, Martin Samuelsen was an unused sub in Blackburn Rovers' 3-2 victory over Brentford, while George Dobson was also an onlooker from the bench as Walsall were beaten 2-1 by Gillingham. In a frantic first half, Danny Graham's double for Rovers cancelled out Scott Hogan's first minute strike, before a Harlee Dean own goal put the hosts back in front after Hogan had grabbed a second of his own.
At the Bescot Stadium, Cody McDonald gave Gillingham an early second minute lead before Jason McCarthy equalised for the hosts inside the opening ten. And as it looked like the game was headed for a draw, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas popped up with six minutes left to seal all three points for Justin Edinburgh's Gills.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic believes his West Ham United side gave reason for optimism with their performance at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. Two late Harry Kane goals meant the Hammers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, as the unbeaten hosts overturned a 2-1 deficit to triumph 3-2. With fixtures against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come in the next three weeks, the east Londoners could be forgiven for approaching them with some trepidation – but not if they perform as they did at White Hart Lane. Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini's goals meant Bilic's side became the first two score twice against Spurs this season and the boss is confident results will soon go their way. He said: "I would rather play the way we did on Saturday than go there and say after the game 'okay, no complaints, they were much better'. "Playing like that, it's only a matter of time before the luck or more concentration will come on our side. "We can take a lot of positives from the game, and make no mistake we will, but the three points were there for us. "They were dangerous, but we were dangerous also, so we can be confident now."
One aspect of their game the boss knows the Hammers need to improve on is cutting out individual errors – with Tottenham's winner coming from an injury time penalty. He added: "If you make those mistakes you are not guaranteed to win your game, even when you are at the top of your game. There is a quality opponent there [to take advantage], but those mistakes should not have happened. That's football and we have done it. "It wasn't done through complacency. Sometimes you can get away with a few mistakes, but you can't make them against Spurs. "The penalty was a very good move from Son – I also thought he was going to cross the ball, so he slides to stop the cross. It was his quality to do what he did and wait for the contact."
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Westley hails young players
WHUFC.com
Terry Westley is looking forward to tonight's clash with Blackburn
West Ham United PL2 make their long awaited return to Premier League 2 action this evening when they host Blackburn Rovers at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (7pm).
The Hammers have once again been away from league action for a number of weeks since their 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Halloween.
Since then, they have gone unbeaten, starting with a 2-1 away victory at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup.
That was followed by a terrific display against League One Northampton Town in the Checkatrade Trophy, drawing 1-1 and winning a bonus point via a penalty shootout victory.
Now attention turns back to the league, with the young Hammers looking to keep up the pressure on Division 2 leaders Swansea City.
"The loan success we've had this season has meant we've been able to play some younger ones in our U23 team," said PL2 boss Terry Westley.
"We are by far the youngest team in the league and we're still very competitive. We're really challenging our young players and they've remained competitive.
"I would expect us to remain competitive for the rest of the season. We're third in the table and looking good in the cup. It's certainly going to be an interesting second half of the season."
With the U18 Hammers looking forward to the FA Youth Cup tie against Stoke City on Tuesday night, expect the PL2 line-up this evening to look slightly different.
Captain Declan Rice, Dan Kemp and Nathan Trott, all of whom have not featured for the U18s recently, played in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and are set to feature against Stoke on Tuesday.
The number of games being played by the Hammers youngsters this season is considerably more than last, and Westley believes it's a huge benefit this year.
"We went too many weeks without games last year in the U21 league. The Trophy has helped, the Cup format has helped because It's a Champions League format."
"At U23s, you need to be playing at least once a week. Around 30/33 games is about right to allow the development to get better."
Tonight's match at Dagenham and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium is a 7pm kick-off and is free to enter for season ticket holders. Otherwise, it's £5 for adults and £3 for children.
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Supporter Advisory Board - Update
WHUFC.com
Following the Fan Feedback Forum on 5 October 2016, the Club can update fans with news of the Supporter Advisory Board moving forward.
As the Forum was such a success, with members representing different sections of our diverse fanbase, the Club has decided to continue using an independent group to select members for the 2016/2017 SAB.
We would therefore encourage fans who wish to be considered to submit their applications before our deadline at 5pm on Wednesday 23 November 2016.
To apply to become a member of the SAB, please download and complete this application form, including telling us what issues you would like to see discussed by the SAB, and submit it to supporteradvisoryboard@westhamunited.co.uk.
In addition, as part of the application, all entrants are encouraged to fill out this Equal Opportunities Form, although this is not compulsory.
Topics for discussion at the first SAB of the 2016/2017 season will include how fans are settling into our new home, public transport, accessibility, matchday operations, Stadium catering and amenities and pre and post-match entertainment.
Further detail on the agenda will be communicated to successful applicants prior to the next SAB meeting. Applicants who have been selected to join the Board will be notified by email and no later than Friday 2 December.
The next Supporter Advisory Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 December 2016.
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Quina signs first pro contract
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are thrilled to announce that highly-rated midfielder Domingos Quina has signed his first professional contract to keep him at the Club until 2019. Quina is rated one of the best young talents in the game and has attracted interest from a number of Europe's leading sides. But the former Benfica and Chelsea schoolboy, who turned 17 last Friday, was determined to pledge his long-term future to the east London Club. Quina has already attracted headlines this season after he scored a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester City for the U23s in October and now hopes to impress Slaven Bilic in the coming weeks and months and become a regular part of the first-team squad. Quina said: "I am very happy to have signed my first professional contract with West Ham and it has always been my dream. "I chose West Ham because it is a great Club and they like to give young players opportunities to break into the first-team like Reece Oxford and I hope to do the same. "I like to enjoy my football and do things which people are not expecting. I really enjoyed my goal against Leicester and it was a great moment. "That was not the first time I had scored a goal like that and hopefully there is more to come! "I know that talent alone is not enough to see me develop as a player and I just want to keep working hard every day. Hopefully I will get my chance."
Quina has already showcased his talents at international level, having recently been crowned a UEFA European U17 champion with Portugal. Born in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau before moving to Portugal as a child, Quina has long been considered one of Portuguese football's brightest prospects – an opinion confirmed by his outstanding displays at the recent European U17 Championship finals in Azerbaijan. There, the young forward featured in all six matches, scoring in the group-stage victory over Scotland before starting his country's victory over Spain in the final.
Prior to that, Quina put in a virtuoso performance, showcasing his attacking skills in a 7-3 victory over England U17s at the FA International Tournament in October 2015. West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is delighted to see Quina put pen to paper on his first pro contract, saying he has an exceptional talent and predicts big things for the youngster. Quina made his competitive debut for the Club in the UEFA Europa League against NK Domzale and the Hammers manager feels this could be just the start of a long career playing in the top flight. Bilic said: "I am personally delighted with the news. We know a lot about him and he came away with us on pre-season. "He is one of those players that you think if he doesn't make it, then which player will? "He has got everything and it is now down to us and up to him how much he is going to improve and dedicate his life to achieve something that God gave him. There is no doubt he has something exceptional. "He is skilful and is one of those players who doesn't have to think about his first touch because it comes so naturally to him. "He is not afraid of challenges and has skill and vision. I have named everything and that is why is we are so happy to see him sign a contract."
Quina says he is excited to be playing alongside the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini on a regular basis and cannot wait to make his Premier League debut at London Stadium. He will never forget his first ever appearance at the Hammers' new home when he appeared as a second half substitute against Juventus in the Betway Cup back in August and says it is a moment that will stay with him for the rest of his career. Quina added: "I want to make my Premier League debut as soon as possible and get more chances to play at London Stadium. "It was an unbelievable moment for me to come on as a substitute against Juventus and it was something that will stay with me forever. The atmosphere was amazing. I hope to play many more games there."
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Arsenal Ticket Exchange open now
WHUFC.com
The Premier League visit of Arsenal on Saturday 3 December has now sold out to Claret Members in the ticket ballot - but the Ticket Exchange is now open!
Claret Members who were successful in the Arsenal ballot will receive a confirmation email by 5pm on Monday – with this email going to the lead booker.
Season Ticket Holders who can't attend the game can relist their seats via our Ticket Exchange service here.
Claret Members have priority to purchase relisted tickets until 5pm on Wednesday 23 November, after which tickets will be available to other supporters.
The Ticket Exchange will be open until 2.30pm on the day of the Arsenal fixture – 3 December.
Claret Members should note they can stiill enter the ballot for the game against Burnley on 14 December which closes at 5pm on Monday 28 November.
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FT - West Ham United PL2 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
WHUFC.com
FT: It's all over here at there CCS. 1-1 the final score - Martin Samuelsen put the Hammers in front with a great finish before Lewis Hardcastle easily on the half hour mark with a brilliant free-kick. The home side probably just shaded the second half but couldn't find that winner. Final score: West Ham United PL2 1-1 Blackburn Rovers.
90+2: Chance for WH here. Great feet by Samuelsen draws a foul on the left and the Hammers have a chance to put the ball in the box. 1-1
90: Diangana goes down in the area, adamant he was pulled to the ground. No pen and three minutes added. 1-1
89: Sylvestre puts in a brilliant last ditch tackle to deny the Rovers winger. 1-1
87: Mahoney sends a great corner in from Rovers but it evades everyone in the box. 1-1
85: Another sub for Rovers. Towering striker Mansell is replaced by Callum Hendry. 1-1 still.
80: Sub for Rovers. Thomson is replaced by Rittenburg. 1-1
78: Not long left now for either of these sides to find the winner. Diangana tries to fashion an opening but his shot is blocked over for a corner. 1-1
73: As I type, Nyambe breaks clear but skews his shot well wide. The Rovers right-back has been their main threat in this second half. 1-1
72: Not as many chances in this half as there was in the first. Blackburn have hardly threatened with the Hammers looking the more threatening. 1-1
69: Fletcher breaks clear and threads a brilliant ball through to Ford. The linesman flags for offside pretty late - the sub thought he was clear. 1-1
66: The rain has stopped but the pitch has become very slippery and it's making the players pay extra attention to their first touch and control. 1-1
63: Could be more hamstring issues for the Hammers here. Calleri has just walked off clutching his. They've had no luck so far this evening. Sam Ford will come on. 1-1
59: Sub for the Hammers, their second of the evening. Diangana replaces Parfitt-Williams. 1-1
57: Samuelsen again trying to create. He darts inside two players and pulls the ball back, only for it to fall to a Blackburn player to clear. 1-1
53: Brilliant again from Samuelsen. A weaving run earns himself some space just inside the box and he forces a great save from Fisher. 1-1
51: Good play by the Hammers. Samuelsen has a shot blocked and the corner is headed towards goal by Pike. Callers tries an overhead kick but it's saved well by Fisher. 1-1
47: No changes at the break. Just the one in the first half with Rosa replacing the injured Pask. 1-1
46: We're back underway at the Chigwell Construction Stadium!
HALF-TIME: Hammers 1-1 Rovers. Samuelsen's early goal cancelled out by Hardcastle.
45: 2 minutes added by the fourth official. No real chances to report over the last five minutes. The midfield battle is intense. 1-1
44: We just had and absolute deluge here but it's not affecting the game one bit. Some great football being played by both sides. 1-1
40: Nyambe sends a great cross into the area but it;s brilliantly cleared by Sylvestre under his own crossbar. 1-1
37: Captain Platt rises at the back post and can only header just wide. 1-1
36: Doesn't look good here for Pask. He chases back brilliantly to block off Mansell's skill but goes down clutching his hamstring. He's coming off with 16-year-old Bernado Rosa coming on for his PL2 debut. He only made his U18 debut at the weekend as well!! 1-1
34: Excuse the pun, but it's Hammering down at the CCS. It's still a terrific game, mind. End to end stuff here and great entertainment. The Hammers have responded well to being pegged back. 1-1
31: Corner for West Ham swung in brilliantly by Samuelsen. Caller's header is goal bound but held brilliantly by Fisher. 1-1
30: At the other end, Samuelsen can't quite get his contact right with a Calleri cross. Good response by the boys! 1-1
28: Goal for Rovers. Hardcastle curls the resulting free-kick into the bottom corner. Nicely done by the Rovers' No10 and Howes could do nothing about the strike. 1-1
26: Howes handles the ball just outside the edge of the box - very unlucky there but he was a yard out and Rovers have a free-kick just inside the D. Yellow for the Hammers keeper. 1-0
25: The corner is swung in and Mansell rises highest but his header is blocked. The Rovers bench want a penalty for handball - not given. 1-0
24: Pike puts in a terrific block and the Hammers have to defend another corner here with one of the Rovers players down receiving treatment. 1-0
21: Nyambe gets to a crossing position and Westley does well to chase back and block. The following corner is punched clear by Howes. 1-0
19: The Hammers have tried to implement their passing style over the last few minutes. They look comfortable at the moment and a real threat up top. 1-0
14: The Hammers do well to defend a dangerous free-kick. Rovers are a big side, especially with Mansell up top - it'll be a stern test of Pike, Pask and co this evening. 1-0
12: Pask does brilliantly to block a powerful effort from Mansell. The defender it slightly winded but is back up. 1-0
11: Danger for the Hammers. Mahoney nicks the ball off Pask but the Gillingham loanee does excellently to race back and block the cross. 1-0
10: The Hammers are well on top in the early stages. Fletcher gets to the byline and fizzes an excellent ball across the face of goal, but no one was there to tap the ball home. 1-0
7: GOALLL! Lovely move by the Hammers to break the deadlock. Calleri crosses for Fletcher who lays it back to Samuelsen. The winger caresses the ball brilliantly past Fisher. 1-0!
5: Good play by Samuelsen to disposess Nyambe but Fletcher can't quite latch on to the loose ball. Keeper gathers. 0-0
KO: We're underway at the CCS, with the Hammers lining up in a 4-4-2 formation. Samuelson on the left, Parfitt-Williams on the right, with Calleri and Fletcher up top. 0-0
6.55pm: The teams are out. We're almost ready to go and the rain has pretty much stopped! Perfect timing! COYI!
6.45pm: We're around 15 minutes from kick-off at the CCS. Remember entrance tonight is free for season ticket holders, so it's not too late to head to Dagenham for some free football!
6.20pm: So a number of changes tonight, bearing in mind tomorrow night's FA Youth Cup tie with Stoke City. Martin Samuelsen briefly returns from his loan again this evening, along with Josh Pask, who has been on loan at Gillingham this year. Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher also return with Toni Martinez still out injured and Marcus Browne suspended. The Hammers will go into tonight as favourites and hopefully they can make it three out of three in the league!
West Ham XI: Howes, Eggleton, Pike, Pask (Rosa, 37), Westley; Makasi, Sylvestre; Parfitt-Williams (Diangana, 53), Calleri (Ford ), Samuelsen; Fletcher.
Subs not used: Matrevics (gk), Diangana, Gordon.
Goals: Samuelsen 7,
Blackburn XI: Fisher, Nyambe, Doyle, Travis, Platt (c), Magloire, Mahoney, Rankin-Costello, Mansell, Hardcastle, Thomson (Rittenburg, 80).
Subs not used: Makinson, Powell, Mols, Hendry.
Goals: Hardcastle 28,
6:00pm: Good evening and welcome to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for tonight's Premier League 2 match between West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers. The Hammers go into this one lying in third in PL2 Division 2 with their opponents currently seventh. Both sides are in contrasting form as well - the Hammers have won their last two in the league whereas Rovers have lost their last two. Team news to follow!
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Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 2 West Ham (And Other Ramblings)
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st November 2016
By: HeadHammerShark
1. Say No Go
Going to the cinema when you're married is a delicate business. You've got to at least make a nod towards compromise, but if you get too agreeable then there's a reasonable chance you'll end up watching a film with Katherine Heigl in it where absolutely nothing explodes.
Sadly, back in 2004 I made the mistake of suggesting to Mrs Shark that we go to watch the newly released Van Helsing. I think I'd been seduced by the fact it had the delectable Kate Beckinsale in it, and there were a couple of trailer friendly set pieces and thus it was that we ended up watching one of the worst things committed to film since someone once said to George Clooney "Yes mate, you'd be great as Batman".
Since then I've been carrying that particular monkey on my back for a dozen long years. Every new viewing suggestion has to be clearly weighed up against the threat that it might become the new Van Helsing and haunt me until my dying day by having a denouement featuring three CGI characters and a plot that was concocted during an acid trip.
I also have to exercise similar restraint with 5.30pm Saturday football games. With three daughters anxious to watch Strictly, there's no room for error when commandeering the TV for oneself. It had better be worth it if you're going to play the Dad card, because you're going to be hearing about it forever.
This was not worth it.
2. 3 Feet High And Rising
So just how bad is it? Well, after 12 games our record reads W3 D2 L7 (11 points), putting us a point clear of Hull City who only have 8 professionals and are allowing three fans to play for them every week, and level with Crystal Palace, who are Crystal Palace.
I'll offer up a quick comparison to our two relegation seasons and The Great Escape of 06/07:
2002/03 (Roeder) - P12 W3 D2 L7 (11 points)
2006/07 (Pardew) - P12 W3 D2 L7 (11 points)
2011/12 (Grant) - P12 W1 D5 L6 (8 points)
Big shout out to Avram then for comprehensively owning the "shittiest start ever" award. He actually wouldn't win his third game until Boxing Day, which was a heroically awful performance, although Bilic is nicely imitating Roeder by smuggling in a late 3-2 defeat at Spurs.
Of course, there isn't an awful lot of hope on the horizon. Our next three games, as everybody knows, are away to Man Utd, home to Arsenal and away to Liverpool. Without being too Spursy, this was our most winnable game of that run, and we somehow messed it up and it seems reasonable to assume that our record after our Merseyside trip will read P15 W3 D2 L10 (11 points). And that compares thusly:
2002/03 (Roeder) P15 W3 D3 L9 (12 points)
2006/07 (Pardew) P15 W3 D2 L10 (11 points)
2011/12 (Grant) P15 W2 D6 L7 (12 points)
So all hope is not lost, but if you're still labouring under the misapprehension that West Ham aren't in a relegation scrap then you should disabuse yourself of that notion. When you're nearly halfway through the season and behind Avram Grant it's safe to say that someone somewhere has fucked up royally.
3. Dave Has A Problem...Seriously
Not to revisit those summer signings all over again, but they really are the gift that keeps on taking. Håvard Nordtveit is going to take a lot of blame for this defeat, which is remarkable considering he was only on for eight minutes, but if you're going to turn up for work without your cerebrum then I suppose you always run the risk of that happening.
He has pretty decent pedigree having started at Arsenal, then played 150 times for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga and the Champions League as well as turning out 29 times internationally for Norway. He is not a bad player, but he's been bought along with a few duffers, hasn't had a great start and has now conceded a last minute penalty in a big local derby. So far, so bad.
I'm sure that all of that was preying on his mind as he was brought on and it was probably a determination to make a positive impact that led him to make such a brainless challenge on Heung Min Son and invite the Korean to take a tumble. It was all very reminiscent of Alex Song a couple of years ago - although Harry Kane dived then - when an experienced player did something brainless and cost us dearly.
The summer shopping spree from hell also reared it's head a few minutes earlier when Simone Zaza had a great chance to play in Dimitri Payet during a three on one breakaway with the score still at 2-1. Sadly he went full Transport for London on the pass, delayed it for no obvious reason and pushed Payet wide. He still actually had a chance to make an impact when the ball was laid back to him, but he hit a powderpuff shot straight at Lloris and the chance was lost.
As I've written previously I expect all the loan signings to be moved on in January, at which point David Sullivan is going to do something batshit crazy because there is no way he's going to stand idly by and let the players fuck it up all on their own.
4. Keepin' The Faith
The especially galling thing about this result is that for 88 minutes we'd played pretty well. I can't say that we'd been brilliant, but Spurs are very decent at home, and it's clear that we're playing with a few round pegs in pentagon shaped holes.
One obvious plus was Manuel Lanzini, who dropped deep into Noble's position and was outstanding. His quick feet and slick passing was especially helpful in bypassing the incessant Spurs pressing game, and he combined well with Obiang to break up play regularly.
We sat men behind the ball here and allowed Spurs to have possession, which they largely squandered. Vincent Janssen was heavily pursued by West Ham in the summer, which really should have been a warning to Spurs but they bought him anyway, and he duly doesn't look up to much. With he and Kane anonymous, there wasn't much to fear and we snatched a goal when Antonio popped up like an out of position salmon at a corner and gave us a lead that we sort of deserved.
Spurs improved after half time and they got their equaliser when Angelo Ogbonna decided to go for a leisurely evening stroll on the edge of his box, lost possession and then promptly went to sleep.
Antonio then sold himself like an ex Prime Minister in allowing Rose to run past him and cross for Janssen, who caught it, span it on the end of his finger, and took the three point attempt. Mike Dean saw no issue with this, and despite Randolph making an excellent save, the ball rebounded fortuitously to Harry Winks who tapped in the rebound.
After that it didn't look promising, but we picked up a penalty when Janssen (him again) put both arms around Reid at a corner and then looked shocked, shocked I tell you when Dean pointed to the spot. Lanzini continued his Noble impression by duly tucking it away and with that everything went just swimmingly until it didn't.
I'll be interested to see if Noble gets his place back next week. Our central midfield was a strength today, and there's not much doubt that Lanzini moves the ball quicker than the skipper, without offering the same ability to win it back. I suspect that Andre Ayew might be jettisoned as I still have no idea what position he's supposed to be playing, which is pretty good going for our record signing.
5. The Art Of Getting Jumped
Of all the bad habits to pick up, conceding late goals to Spurs seems to be a fairly sub optimal one. Pochettino has actually been outwitted a couple of times against us in the past - once when Pep Guardiola's tactical inspiration Sam Allardyce played with no strikers and beat him 3-0, and then more recently last season when Bilic deployed a 3-5-2 at Upton Park and ended their title hopes.
I'm not sure if he was expecting us to abandon the 3-4-3 variant here, but Spurs didn't really get to grips with the game until after their equaliser, which contained more than a hint of good luck. Thereafter, they were clearly the ascendant side but our defending was resilient enough to keep them out until the worst 160 seconds I've experienced since someone agreed to let Pierce Brosnan sing solo during Mamma Mia!.
What didn't help was Bilic taking off Dimiti Payet with 5 minutes to go. Payet was our only outlet at that point, as Zaza was holding it up about as well as an imaginary scaffold, and once he was gone there was nothing to stop Spurs bombing on freely. I wasn't averse to solidifying things with another defensive player but surely Lanzini made the most sense in that situation.
I wouldn't say we lost because we stopped trying to win, but inviting any team to spend the last ten minutes in your half with no respite doesn't seem like a great idea to me.
He probably supports Spurs too, the smug prick.
6. All Good?
"It ain't all good, and that's the truth
Things ain't going like you think they should"
- De La Soul "All Good"
Talking of Payet, I may be overreacting wildly, but I can't help feeling this is the beginning of the end. They won't let him go in January - not even West Ham would be that bonkers - but if this season ends up as expected with a relegation struggle and a narrow escape, then that won't be enough to keep him. Sullivan can talk all he wants (and let's face it - he wants to talk) but he didn't surround him with good enough players and thus he'll demand the opportunity to play on the platform his skills (and agent) demand.
This leaves us with the terrifying prospect of no Payet and David Sullivan on a £50m pound spending spree. If we had a proper scouting network in place we might dream of Julian Draxler or Iker Muniain or Yannick Carrasco in replacement, but instead it will be whoever the agent of the week brings in, which will presumably lead to us wasting it all on Wesley Sneijder.
Anyway, enjoy him while you can. That's all I'm saying.
7. Potholes In My Lawn
Not to continue to state the eye bleedingly obvious, but the lack of a right back is destroying us. Whilst Nordtveit is taking all the blame it shouldn't be ignored that the first and second Spurs goals came as a result of defensive lapses on our right side. I am past blaming Antonio - he's not a defensive player and to continue to shoehorn him into the side there is a dereliction of duty by all concerned.
Alvaro Arbeloa is apparently on his way out having fallen out with Bilic, which is becoming a bit of a recurring theme. I have no issue with a bit of discipline but between Amalfitano, Sakho and Arbeloa there seems to be a bit of a pattern.
I also wonder, with no basis for this other than my own opinion, whether that ongoing investigation into Caroll and Randolph being on the piss in Shoreditch at 5am is a factor here too. You'll remember that the Club were determined to get to the bottom of that and then apparently appointed Sir John Chilcott to lead the inquiry as we've heard nothing since.
I doubt it's a great look when some lads can get pissed without it being career limiting, and others have to face up to being transferred to West Brom. As I say, all guesswork, but it doesn't feel quite right.
A little bit like having to consistently play Michail Antonio as a wing back.
8. Vocabulary Spills
Getting angry about Man of the Match awards is a monumental waste of time. It was slightly bizarre though, even by the standards of modern journalism, that Owen Hargreaves gave the award to Harry Kane, whilst admitting in the same breath that Winston Reid was the best player on the pitch. Stranger still was that Kane wasn't even the best player named Harry on his own side, as Harry Winks turned in an irritatingly decent performance to highlight once again the paucity of young talent being developed at West Ham currently.
Reid, was exceptional however, and after watching the game and reading every match report I can get my hands on I'm still none the wiser as to why he was sent off.
Kane, meanwhile, at least had the good grace to be as peripheral as he is when he plays for England before popping up with a tap in and a penalty and taking home the champagne. Whilst I admire their dedication to participating in social media trends, I just feel our defence could have picked a better time than the 88th minute of a London derby before joining in with the Mannequin challenge.
9. Stakes Is High
I was pretty surprised to see Darren Randolph get the nod ahead of Adrian, but with the latter having followed the centuries old West Ham tradition of losing his form as soon as he got called up by the national team, I guess it wasn't too shocking.
He has a tough run of games now in which to cement his place, although some may argue he's likely to get plenty of opportunity to show off his skills. We have kept just three clean sheets all season and have won each of those games. We have yet to pick up a win in any league game where we have conceded a goal.
Stick with me, I've got an idea, it's on the tip of my tongue.
10. Change In Speak
Hate is a strong word.
Nobody comes here to listen to my politics so I don't generally indulge that. I average about 800 visitors for each post and possibly a few multiples of that when the column is carried at KUMB. So I'm not kidding myself that I speak for anyone other than myself, or that I'm speaking to anything other than a tiny majority of West Ham fans.
I have no doubt that some of you think me self important, and you'd be quite right. I write a column that no one pays me for, and then ask people I don't know to read it. You'd have to have a certain level of self importance to do that, especially in an age when people are not even remotely reluctant to tell you they think your writing is "fucking awful".
But I'm going to say this anyway. A lot of West Ham fans have convinced themselves that they hate Spurs fans. It might be true for some, but I suspect it's not really. I have some close friends who are Spurs fans and we all accept the enmity and have generally lapsed into not ever talking about the football at all. I certainly don't hate them or anyone else who supports them. It's like these things that I say I hate but I am really just mildly irritated by:
- people who have long, inane, wittering phone conversations on quiet 7.30am trains
- people who queue for planes at the gate an hour before departure time
- people who get to Underground ticket barriers and then begin the search for their Oyster cards
(I am a dream to travel with, as you can see)
- ads before songs on YouTube
- Robbie Williams
- Anton du Beke
- Robbie Williams performing on Strictly whilst Anton du Beke dances; and so on.....
And so even though Spurs fans are annoying when they win, and the whole "Spammers Cup Final" thing is irritating it's worth remembering that you're not 14, and it's supposed to be irritating because that's what football fans do.
Hate is a strong word.
If you really feel you want to respond to that, why not just point out that Spurs could have gone top of the league for the first time in March since 1964 when they visited the Boleyn earlier this year. Not just their Cup Final, but their biggest domestic game in 50 years and they shat themselves and didn't manage even an attempt on goal in the first half. We deservedly won and ended their league title hopes.
Why mention this?
Because at no point did that require the use of the word "Yid", "Yiddo", "Jew", "Fucking Jew" or a hissing sound.
This was the first game we've played at White Hart Lane in 3 years where there haven't been media reports about our fans signing anti-Semitic songs. I sort of feel like saying thank you to the fans that went, except that not singing Nazi songs shouldn't really be considered a success.
Post match Twitter, by contrast, was awful with plenty of West Ham fans seemingly throwing around anti-Semitic barbs with furious abandon and then retreating behind the mealy mouthed "it's just banter" excuse because yeah, wasn't Dachau funny. LOL. Megabantz. I wonder if these people have ever considered even briefly what it must be like to be a Jewish West Ham fan and have to stand next to people hissing. That's rhetorical. They haven't.
Twitter isn't real life, and I am well aware that a tiny number of twats posting anonymously on a social media site doesn't mean a great deal, but you know it's not like we don't have previous for this.
I'm not even sure I really have an acceptable pay off to this point other than to say we should all be aiming to eradicate this bullshit completely. Call them out on social media, block them from our forums, report them to the Police. Anti semitism is a disgrace.
I've written and deleted and then re-written this a couple of times. No one comes here for this, I know, and people being abhorrent on Twitter isn't really news but this is a "thing" that people now associate with our club. I wondered if any other club had a similar label and stuck in "Sunderland anti Semitism" as a test and the only thing that came up was loads of articles calling Paolo di Canio a Fascist. So, yeah, it's a bit of a West Ham thing.
It's only football, folks.
Hate is a strong word.
* Read more from HeadHammerShark at thehlist.blogspot.co.uk and/or follow him via twitter.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Domingos Quina signs professional terms with West Ham
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 21/11/16 5:44pm
SSN
Promising midfielder Domingos Quina has signed his first professional contract at West Ham, which keeps him at the club until 2019. Quina, who turned 17 last Friday, joined the Hammers in the summer on an initial two-year scholarship deal following spells at Chelsea and Benfica. He has already featured twice for West Ham this season, both appearances coming in the Europa League against NK Domzale, and also scored a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester City for the Under-23s in October. I chose West Ham because it is a great club and they like to give young players opportunities to break into the first-team like Reece Oxford and I hope to do the same. "I like to enjoy my football and do things which people are not expecting. I really enjoyed my goal against Leicester and it was a great moment. "That was not the first time I had scored a goal like that and hopefully there is more to come. "I know that talent alone is not enough to see me develop as a player and I just want to keep working hard every day. Hopefully I will get my chance."
Quina has already showcased his talents at international level for England Under-17s at the European Championship and will now aim to impress manager Slaven Bilic further and become a regular part of the first team. Bilic added: "I am personally delighted with the news. We know a lot about him and he came away with us on pre-season. "He is one of those players that you think if he doesn't make it, then which player will? "He has got everything and it is now down to us and up to him how much he is going to improve and dedicate his life to achieve something that God gave him. There is no doubt he has something exceptional. "He is skillful and is one of those players who doesn't have to think about his first touch because it comes so naturally to him. "He is not afraid of challenges and has skill
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West Ham keeping tabs on Dundee teenager James Cowan with several English clubs interested
The 18-year-old is a target for several English clubs with West Ham, Derby and Oxford with the Scottish Premiership club ready to let the midfield prospect move south
The Mirror
West Ham are keen on Dundee teenager James Cowan. Cowan, 18, is a target for several English clubs with West Ham, Derby and Oxford with the Scottish Premiership club ready to let the midfield prospect move south. The Hammers have been keeping tabs on the highly-rated central midfielder. Slaven Bilic's men are looking for reinforcements in the new year with Watford's Troy Deeney an option to bolster a faltering forward line. Andy Carroll is injured while Diafra Sakho, whose proposed summer switch to West Brom collapsed, has only made one appearance this season due to a back problem. Loan strike duo Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri have both also failed to make an impact at the London Stadium.
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Valencia plan to help West Ham get rid of unwanted player
VALENCIA are reportedly preparing to offer Simone Zaza a way out of West Ham.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 21:09, Mon, Nov 21, 2016 | UPDATED: 21:28, Mon, Nov 21, 2016
Express.co.uk
Zaza has endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League since his loan move from Juventus. West Ham will trigger a permanent transfer worth around £17million (€20m) if Zaza plays 14 games for the club. The Italy international has not scored in 10 appearances and may struggle for more game time after Diafra Sakho's return to fitness. And Valencia are said to be monitoring the situation closely. According to website Gazza Mercato - an affiliate of Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport - La Liga side Valencia are very keen on a January loan deal. For that to happen Juve would have to agree to cancel Zaza's loan agreement with West Ham. However, by doing so they would potentially miss out on a lucrative sale of a player they have no plans to retain. Valencia may therefore need to agree to the same terms West Ham settled for in the summer. Another option is for West Ham to trigger the permanent move for Zaza and then offload him straight on to Valencia on loan.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic defends subbing of Dimitri Payet for Havard Nordtveit after late Tottenham defeat
JAMES BENGE
Evening Stadnard
Slaven Bilic insisted that he had not erred in substituting West Ham's star player Dimitri Payet in the closing minutes of his side's 3-2 loss to Tottenham. The Hammers were 2-1 up with five minutes when Bilic withdrew Payet for defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit at White Hart Lane but Spurs would rally to claim victory, Harry Kane scoring in the 89th and 91st minutes to secure three points for Mauricio Pochettino's men. To make matters worse for Bilic it was Nordtveit who conceded the penalty that allowed Kane to win the match, carelessly bringing down Heung-min Son on the byline to set Spurs on course for victory. But Bilic maintained that his decision to substitute an attacker for a defender was the right course of action even if it backfired on the Hammers. "It was like five minutes to go, we were 2-1 up, from my point of view, for our point of view, it was a logical move to put on a fresh body," Bilic said. "He was excellent but we thought, 'Ok it's like the end of the game, we are winning, let's hold on.' We wanted to score a third one but when we see them coming then you think you can resist it with one more player, a fresh body for five or seven, eight minutes."
Kane's penalty inflicted a seventh league defeat on West Ham in just 12 matches; Bilic's side continue to sit just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
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Ian Bishop says Danny Rose's antics sickens him
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United lost against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday. Former West Ham United midfielder Ian Bishop has criticised Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose on social networking site Twitter. Bishop was not impressed with the antics of Rose during the Premier League game between Tottenham and West Ham at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening. The 51-year-old has criticised Rose for diving during the match, and has also expressed his disappointment for West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. West Ham were 2-1 up until the final minutes of the match, but they conceded twice late on to lose 3-2.
Ian Bishop @BishBlueHammer
Gutted for Slav ⚒sickens me to watch Danny Rose asking the ref for the red after diving around himself all day.
7:35 PM - 19 Nov 2016
247 247 Retweets 486 486 likes
19 Nov
Over the course of the 90 minutes at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening, hosts Tottenham had 67% of the possession, took 14 shots of which six were on target, and earned four corners, according to BBC Sport. Vistors West Ham had just 33% of the possession, took 11 shots of which three were on target, and earned five corners, according to BBC Sport. Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League table at the moment with 24 points from 12 matches, while West Ham are just a point and a place above the relegation zone.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Reece Burke played as Wigan Athletic picked up their first point under Warren Joyce
Josh Cullen and Lewis Page were also in action in League One
Martin Samuelsen and George Dobson were unused substitutes in their respective loan sides' clashes
Reece Burke returned to action following last week's international break, helping Wigan Athletic secure their first point under new boss Warren Joyce in the Championship on Saturday. The Latics stood firm in the clash against Yorkshire opponents Barnsley at Oakwell, recording a clean sheet to frustrate the hosts who picked up their third consecutive draw. Burke – who has now started Wigan's last four matches at right-back – was making his sixth appearance in total, having recovered from an injury which ruled him out of September and much of October. Yanic Wildschut was guilty of spurning Burke's side's best opportunity, as he failed to connect with an effort which went straight into the hands of Tykes keeper Adam Davies.
Elsewhere, Josh Cullen again started for Bradford City in League One, however the Bantams were convincingly beaten 3-0 at the hands of Southend United. Will Atkinson gave the hosts the lead just 14 minutes into the encounter, but James Hanson went close to pulling Bradford level when he headed against the crossbar from Mike Marshall's delivery. City could not trouble Southend stopper Mark Oxley a great deal however, and Atkinson doubled the Shrimpers' lead with just under 20 minutes remaining. Four minutes from time, Marc Antoine-Fortune's cross was diverted into his own goal by Romain Vincelot to add a gloss to the scoreline for United and condemn high-flying Bradford to only their second league defeat.
Finally, Lewis Page was also in action in League One, playing 90 minutes for Coventry City, though the Sky Blues were also on the end of a humbling defeat. Mark Venus' side travelled to Oxford United and were comfortably beaten 4-1 thanks to home goals from Kane Hemmings, Chris Maguire and Alex MacDonald, as well as a Jamie Sterry own goal. Marcus Tudgay grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot deep into injury time, though Coventry's attentions had already turned to Tuesday's clash at Bolton Wanderers.
Back in the second tier, Martin Samuelsen was an unused sub in Blackburn Rovers' 3-2 victory over Brentford, while George Dobson was also an onlooker from the bench as Walsall were beaten 2-1 by Gillingham. In a frantic first half, Danny Graham's double for Rovers cancelled out Scott Hogan's first minute strike, before a Harlee Dean own goal put the hosts back in front after Hogan had grabbed a second of his own.
At the Bescot Stadium, Cody McDonald gave Gillingham an early second minute lead before Jason McCarthy equalised for the hosts inside the opening ten. And as it looked like the game was headed for a draw, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas popped up with six minutes left to seal all three points for Justin Edinburgh's Gills.
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic believes his West Ham United side gave reason for optimism with their performance at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening. Two late Harry Kane goals meant the Hammers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, as the unbeaten hosts overturned a 2-1 deficit to triumph 3-2. With fixtures against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come in the next three weeks, the east Londoners could be forgiven for approaching them with some trepidation – but not if they perform as they did at White Hart Lane. Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini's goals meant Bilic's side became the first two score twice against Spurs this season and the boss is confident results will soon go their way. He said: "I would rather play the way we did on Saturday than go there and say after the game 'okay, no complaints, they were much better'. "Playing like that, it's only a matter of time before the luck or more concentration will come on our side. "We can take a lot of positives from the game, and make no mistake we will, but the three points were there for us. "They were dangerous, but we were dangerous also, so we can be confident now."
One aspect of their game the boss knows the Hammers need to improve on is cutting out individual errors – with Tottenham's winner coming from an injury time penalty. He added: "If you make those mistakes you are not guaranteed to win your game, even when you are at the top of your game. There is a quality opponent there [to take advantage], but those mistakes should not have happened. That's football and we have done it. "It wasn't done through complacency. Sometimes you can get away with a few mistakes, but you can't make them against Spurs. "The penalty was a very good move from Son – I also thought he was going to cross the ball, so he slides to stop the cross. It was his quality to do what he did and wait for the contact."
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Westley hails young players
WHUFC.com
Terry Westley is looking forward to tonight's clash with Blackburn
West Ham United PL2 make their long awaited return to Premier League 2 action this evening when they host Blackburn Rovers at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (7pm).
The Hammers have once again been away from league action for a number of weeks since their 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Halloween.
Since then, they have gone unbeaten, starting with a 2-1 away victory at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League Cup.
That was followed by a terrific display against League One Northampton Town in the Checkatrade Trophy, drawing 1-1 and winning a bonus point via a penalty shootout victory.
Now attention turns back to the league, with the young Hammers looking to keep up the pressure on Division 2 leaders Swansea City.
"The loan success we've had this season has meant we've been able to play some younger ones in our U23 team," said PL2 boss Terry Westley.
"We are by far the youngest team in the league and we're still very competitive. We're really challenging our young players and they've remained competitive.
"I would expect us to remain competitive for the rest of the season. We're third in the table and looking good in the cup. It's certainly going to be an interesting second half of the season."
With the U18 Hammers looking forward to the FA Youth Cup tie against Stoke City on Tuesday night, expect the PL2 line-up this evening to look slightly different.
Captain Declan Rice, Dan Kemp and Nathan Trott, all of whom have not featured for the U18s recently, played in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and are set to feature against Stoke on Tuesday.
The number of games being played by the Hammers youngsters this season is considerably more than last, and Westley believes it's a huge benefit this year.
"We went too many weeks without games last year in the U21 league. The Trophy has helped, the Cup format has helped because It's a Champions League format."
"At U23s, you need to be playing at least once a week. Around 30/33 games is about right to allow the development to get better."
Tonight's match at Dagenham and Redbridge's Chigwell Construction Stadium is a 7pm kick-off and is free to enter for season ticket holders. Otherwise, it's £5 for adults and £3 for children.
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Supporter Advisory Board - Update
WHUFC.com
Following the Fan Feedback Forum on 5 October 2016, the Club can update fans with news of the Supporter Advisory Board moving forward.
As the Forum was such a success, with members representing different sections of our diverse fanbase, the Club has decided to continue using an independent group to select members for the 2016/2017 SAB.
We would therefore encourage fans who wish to be considered to submit their applications before our deadline at 5pm on Wednesday 23 November 2016.
To apply to become a member of the SAB, please download and complete this application form, including telling us what issues you would like to see discussed by the SAB, and submit it to supporteradvisoryboard@westhamunited.co.uk.
In addition, as part of the application, all entrants are encouraged to fill out this Equal Opportunities Form, although this is not compulsory.
Topics for discussion at the first SAB of the 2016/2017 season will include how fans are settling into our new home, public transport, accessibility, matchday operations, Stadium catering and amenities and pre and post-match entertainment.
Further detail on the agenda will be communicated to successful applicants prior to the next SAB meeting. Applicants who have been selected to join the Board will be notified by email and no later than Friday 2 December.
The next Supporter Advisory Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 December 2016.
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Quina signs first pro contract
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are thrilled to announce that highly-rated midfielder Domingos Quina has signed his first professional contract to keep him at the Club until 2019. Quina is rated one of the best young talents in the game and has attracted interest from a number of Europe's leading sides. But the former Benfica and Chelsea schoolboy, who turned 17 last Friday, was determined to pledge his long-term future to the east London Club. Quina has already attracted headlines this season after he scored a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester City for the U23s in October and now hopes to impress Slaven Bilic in the coming weeks and months and become a regular part of the first-team squad. Quina said: "I am very happy to have signed my first professional contract with West Ham and it has always been my dream. "I chose West Ham because it is a great Club and they like to give young players opportunities to break into the first-team like Reece Oxford and I hope to do the same. "I like to enjoy my football and do things which people are not expecting. I really enjoyed my goal against Leicester and it was a great moment. "That was not the first time I had scored a goal like that and hopefully there is more to come! "I know that talent alone is not enough to see me develop as a player and I just want to keep working hard every day. Hopefully I will get my chance."
Quina has already showcased his talents at international level, having recently been crowned a UEFA European U17 champion with Portugal. Born in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau before moving to Portugal as a child, Quina has long been considered one of Portuguese football's brightest prospects – an opinion confirmed by his outstanding displays at the recent European U17 Championship finals in Azerbaijan. There, the young forward featured in all six matches, scoring in the group-stage victory over Scotland before starting his country's victory over Spain in the final.
Prior to that, Quina put in a virtuoso performance, showcasing his attacking skills in a 7-3 victory over England U17s at the FA International Tournament in October 2015. West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic is delighted to see Quina put pen to paper on his first pro contract, saying he has an exceptional talent and predicts big things for the youngster. Quina made his competitive debut for the Club in the UEFA Europa League against NK Domzale and the Hammers manager feels this could be just the start of a long career playing in the top flight. Bilic said: "I am personally delighted with the news. We know a lot about him and he came away with us on pre-season. "He is one of those players that you think if he doesn't make it, then which player will? "He has got everything and it is now down to us and up to him how much he is going to improve and dedicate his life to achieve something that God gave him. There is no doubt he has something exceptional. "He is skilful and is one of those players who doesn't have to think about his first touch because it comes so naturally to him. "He is not afraid of challenges and has skill and vision. I have named everything and that is why is we are so happy to see him sign a contract."
Quina says he is excited to be playing alongside the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini on a regular basis and cannot wait to make his Premier League debut at London Stadium. He will never forget his first ever appearance at the Hammers' new home when he appeared as a second half substitute against Juventus in the Betway Cup back in August and says it is a moment that will stay with him for the rest of his career. Quina added: "I want to make my Premier League debut as soon as possible and get more chances to play at London Stadium. "It was an unbelievable moment for me to come on as a substitute against Juventus and it was something that will stay with me forever. The atmosphere was amazing. I hope to play many more games there."
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Arsenal Ticket Exchange open now
WHUFC.com
The Premier League visit of Arsenal on Saturday 3 December has now sold out to Claret Members in the ticket ballot - but the Ticket Exchange is now open!
Claret Members who were successful in the Arsenal ballot will receive a confirmation email by 5pm on Monday – with this email going to the lead booker.
Season Ticket Holders who can't attend the game can relist their seats via our Ticket Exchange service here.
Claret Members have priority to purchase relisted tickets until 5pm on Wednesday 23 November, after which tickets will be available to other supporters.
The Ticket Exchange will be open until 2.30pm on the day of the Arsenal fixture – 3 December.
Claret Members should note they can stiill enter the ballot for the game against Burnley on 14 December which closes at 5pm on Monday 28 November.
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FT - West Ham United PL2 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
WHUFC.com
FT: It's all over here at there CCS. 1-1 the final score - Martin Samuelsen put the Hammers in front with a great finish before Lewis Hardcastle easily on the half hour mark with a brilliant free-kick. The home side probably just shaded the second half but couldn't find that winner. Final score: West Ham United PL2 1-1 Blackburn Rovers.
90+2: Chance for WH here. Great feet by Samuelsen draws a foul on the left and the Hammers have a chance to put the ball in the box. 1-1
90: Diangana goes down in the area, adamant he was pulled to the ground. No pen and three minutes added. 1-1
89: Sylvestre puts in a brilliant last ditch tackle to deny the Rovers winger. 1-1
87: Mahoney sends a great corner in from Rovers but it evades everyone in the box. 1-1
85: Another sub for Rovers. Towering striker Mansell is replaced by Callum Hendry. 1-1 still.
80: Sub for Rovers. Thomson is replaced by Rittenburg. 1-1
78: Not long left now for either of these sides to find the winner. Diangana tries to fashion an opening but his shot is blocked over for a corner. 1-1
73: As I type, Nyambe breaks clear but skews his shot well wide. The Rovers right-back has been their main threat in this second half. 1-1
72: Not as many chances in this half as there was in the first. Blackburn have hardly threatened with the Hammers looking the more threatening. 1-1
69: Fletcher breaks clear and threads a brilliant ball through to Ford. The linesman flags for offside pretty late - the sub thought he was clear. 1-1
66: The rain has stopped but the pitch has become very slippery and it's making the players pay extra attention to their first touch and control. 1-1
63: Could be more hamstring issues for the Hammers here. Calleri has just walked off clutching his. They've had no luck so far this evening. Sam Ford will come on. 1-1
59: Sub for the Hammers, their second of the evening. Diangana replaces Parfitt-Williams. 1-1
57: Samuelsen again trying to create. He darts inside two players and pulls the ball back, only for it to fall to a Blackburn player to clear. 1-1
53: Brilliant again from Samuelsen. A weaving run earns himself some space just inside the box and he forces a great save from Fisher. 1-1
51: Good play by the Hammers. Samuelsen has a shot blocked and the corner is headed towards goal by Pike. Callers tries an overhead kick but it's saved well by Fisher. 1-1
47: No changes at the break. Just the one in the first half with Rosa replacing the injured Pask. 1-1
46: We're back underway at the Chigwell Construction Stadium!
HALF-TIME: Hammers 1-1 Rovers. Samuelsen's early goal cancelled out by Hardcastle.
45: 2 minutes added by the fourth official. No real chances to report over the last five minutes. The midfield battle is intense. 1-1
44: We just had and absolute deluge here but it's not affecting the game one bit. Some great football being played by both sides. 1-1
40: Nyambe sends a great cross into the area but it;s brilliantly cleared by Sylvestre under his own crossbar. 1-1
37: Captain Platt rises at the back post and can only header just wide. 1-1
36: Doesn't look good here for Pask. He chases back brilliantly to block off Mansell's skill but goes down clutching his hamstring. He's coming off with 16-year-old Bernado Rosa coming on for his PL2 debut. He only made his U18 debut at the weekend as well!! 1-1
34: Excuse the pun, but it's Hammering down at the CCS. It's still a terrific game, mind. End to end stuff here and great entertainment. The Hammers have responded well to being pegged back. 1-1
31: Corner for West Ham swung in brilliantly by Samuelsen. Caller's header is goal bound but held brilliantly by Fisher. 1-1
30: At the other end, Samuelsen can't quite get his contact right with a Calleri cross. Good response by the boys! 1-1
28: Goal for Rovers. Hardcastle curls the resulting free-kick into the bottom corner. Nicely done by the Rovers' No10 and Howes could do nothing about the strike. 1-1
26: Howes handles the ball just outside the edge of the box - very unlucky there but he was a yard out and Rovers have a free-kick just inside the D. Yellow for the Hammers keeper. 1-0
25: The corner is swung in and Mansell rises highest but his header is blocked. The Rovers bench want a penalty for handball - not given. 1-0
24: Pike puts in a terrific block and the Hammers have to defend another corner here with one of the Rovers players down receiving treatment. 1-0
21: Nyambe gets to a crossing position and Westley does well to chase back and block. The following corner is punched clear by Howes. 1-0
19: The Hammers have tried to implement their passing style over the last few minutes. They look comfortable at the moment and a real threat up top. 1-0
14: The Hammers do well to defend a dangerous free-kick. Rovers are a big side, especially with Mansell up top - it'll be a stern test of Pike, Pask and co this evening. 1-0
12: Pask does brilliantly to block a powerful effort from Mansell. The defender it slightly winded but is back up. 1-0
11: Danger for the Hammers. Mahoney nicks the ball off Pask but the Gillingham loanee does excellently to race back and block the cross. 1-0
10: The Hammers are well on top in the early stages. Fletcher gets to the byline and fizzes an excellent ball across the face of goal, but no one was there to tap the ball home. 1-0
7: GOALLL! Lovely move by the Hammers to break the deadlock. Calleri crosses for Fletcher who lays it back to Samuelsen. The winger caresses the ball brilliantly past Fisher. 1-0!
5: Good play by Samuelsen to disposess Nyambe but Fletcher can't quite latch on to the loose ball. Keeper gathers. 0-0
KO: We're underway at the CCS, with the Hammers lining up in a 4-4-2 formation. Samuelson on the left, Parfitt-Williams on the right, with Calleri and Fletcher up top. 0-0
6.55pm: The teams are out. We're almost ready to go and the rain has pretty much stopped! Perfect timing! COYI!
6.45pm: We're around 15 minutes from kick-off at the CCS. Remember entrance tonight is free for season ticket holders, so it's not too late to head to Dagenham for some free football!
6.20pm: So a number of changes tonight, bearing in mind tomorrow night's FA Youth Cup tie with Stoke City. Martin Samuelsen briefly returns from his loan again this evening, along with Josh Pask, who has been on loan at Gillingham this year. Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher also return with Toni Martinez still out injured and Marcus Browne suspended. The Hammers will go into tonight as favourites and hopefully they can make it three out of three in the league!
West Ham XI: Howes, Eggleton, Pike, Pask (Rosa, 37), Westley; Makasi, Sylvestre; Parfitt-Williams (Diangana, 53), Calleri (Ford ), Samuelsen; Fletcher.
Subs not used: Matrevics (gk), Diangana, Gordon.
Goals: Samuelsen 7,
Blackburn XI: Fisher, Nyambe, Doyle, Travis, Platt (c), Magloire, Mahoney, Rankin-Costello, Mansell, Hardcastle, Thomson (Rittenburg, 80).
Subs not used: Makinson, Powell, Mols, Hendry.
Goals: Hardcastle 28,
6:00pm: Good evening and welcome to the Chigwell Construction Stadium for tonight's Premier League 2 match between West Ham United and Blackburn Rovers. The Hammers go into this one lying in third in PL2 Division 2 with their opponents currently seventh. Both sides are in contrasting form as well - the Hammers have won their last two in the league whereas Rovers have lost their last two. Team news to follow!
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Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 2 West Ham (And Other Ramblings)
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st November 2016
By: HeadHammerShark
1. Say No Go
Going to the cinema when you're married is a delicate business. You've got to at least make a nod towards compromise, but if you get too agreeable then there's a reasonable chance you'll end up watching a film with Katherine Heigl in it where absolutely nothing explodes.
Sadly, back in 2004 I made the mistake of suggesting to Mrs Shark that we go to watch the newly released Van Helsing. I think I'd been seduced by the fact it had the delectable Kate Beckinsale in it, and there were a couple of trailer friendly set pieces and thus it was that we ended up watching one of the worst things committed to film since someone once said to George Clooney "Yes mate, you'd be great as Batman".
Since then I've been carrying that particular monkey on my back for a dozen long years. Every new viewing suggestion has to be clearly weighed up against the threat that it might become the new Van Helsing and haunt me until my dying day by having a denouement featuring three CGI characters and a plot that was concocted during an acid trip.
I also have to exercise similar restraint with 5.30pm Saturday football games. With three daughters anxious to watch Strictly, there's no room for error when commandeering the TV for oneself. It had better be worth it if you're going to play the Dad card, because you're going to be hearing about it forever.
This was not worth it.
2. 3 Feet High And Rising
So just how bad is it? Well, after 12 games our record reads W3 D2 L7 (11 points), putting us a point clear of Hull City who only have 8 professionals and are allowing three fans to play for them every week, and level with Crystal Palace, who are Crystal Palace.
I'll offer up a quick comparison to our two relegation seasons and The Great Escape of 06/07:
2002/03 (Roeder) - P12 W3 D2 L7 (11 points)
2006/07 (Pardew) - P12 W3 D2 L7 (11 points)
2011/12 (Grant) - P12 W1 D5 L6 (8 points)
Big shout out to Avram then for comprehensively owning the "shittiest start ever" award. He actually wouldn't win his third game until Boxing Day, which was a heroically awful performance, although Bilic is nicely imitating Roeder by smuggling in a late 3-2 defeat at Spurs.
Of course, there isn't an awful lot of hope on the horizon. Our next three games, as everybody knows, are away to Man Utd, home to Arsenal and away to Liverpool. Without being too Spursy, this was our most winnable game of that run, and we somehow messed it up and it seems reasonable to assume that our record after our Merseyside trip will read P15 W3 D2 L10 (11 points). And that compares thusly:
2002/03 (Roeder) P15 W3 D3 L9 (12 points)
2006/07 (Pardew) P15 W3 D2 L10 (11 points)
2011/12 (Grant) P15 W2 D6 L7 (12 points)
So all hope is not lost, but if you're still labouring under the misapprehension that West Ham aren't in a relegation scrap then you should disabuse yourself of that notion. When you're nearly halfway through the season and behind Avram Grant it's safe to say that someone somewhere has fucked up royally.
3. Dave Has A Problem...Seriously
Not to revisit those summer signings all over again, but they really are the gift that keeps on taking. Håvard Nordtveit is going to take a lot of blame for this defeat, which is remarkable considering he was only on for eight minutes, but if you're going to turn up for work without your cerebrum then I suppose you always run the risk of that happening.
He has pretty decent pedigree having started at Arsenal, then played 150 times for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga and the Champions League as well as turning out 29 times internationally for Norway. He is not a bad player, but he's been bought along with a few duffers, hasn't had a great start and has now conceded a last minute penalty in a big local derby. So far, so bad.
I'm sure that all of that was preying on his mind as he was brought on and it was probably a determination to make a positive impact that led him to make such a brainless challenge on Heung Min Son and invite the Korean to take a tumble. It was all very reminiscent of Alex Song a couple of years ago - although Harry Kane dived then - when an experienced player did something brainless and cost us dearly.
The summer shopping spree from hell also reared it's head a few minutes earlier when Simone Zaza had a great chance to play in Dimitri Payet during a three on one breakaway with the score still at 2-1. Sadly he went full Transport for London on the pass, delayed it for no obvious reason and pushed Payet wide. He still actually had a chance to make an impact when the ball was laid back to him, but he hit a powderpuff shot straight at Lloris and the chance was lost.
As I've written previously I expect all the loan signings to be moved on in January, at which point David Sullivan is going to do something batshit crazy because there is no way he's going to stand idly by and let the players fuck it up all on their own.
4. Keepin' The Faith
The especially galling thing about this result is that for 88 minutes we'd played pretty well. I can't say that we'd been brilliant, but Spurs are very decent at home, and it's clear that we're playing with a few round pegs in pentagon shaped holes.
One obvious plus was Manuel Lanzini, who dropped deep into Noble's position and was outstanding. His quick feet and slick passing was especially helpful in bypassing the incessant Spurs pressing game, and he combined well with Obiang to break up play regularly.
We sat men behind the ball here and allowed Spurs to have possession, which they largely squandered. Vincent Janssen was heavily pursued by West Ham in the summer, which really should have been a warning to Spurs but they bought him anyway, and he duly doesn't look up to much. With he and Kane anonymous, there wasn't much to fear and we snatched a goal when Antonio popped up like an out of position salmon at a corner and gave us a lead that we sort of deserved.
Spurs improved after half time and they got their equaliser when Angelo Ogbonna decided to go for a leisurely evening stroll on the edge of his box, lost possession and then promptly went to sleep.
Antonio then sold himself like an ex Prime Minister in allowing Rose to run past him and cross for Janssen, who caught it, span it on the end of his finger, and took the three point attempt. Mike Dean saw no issue with this, and despite Randolph making an excellent save, the ball rebounded fortuitously to Harry Winks who tapped in the rebound.
After that it didn't look promising, but we picked up a penalty when Janssen (him again) put both arms around Reid at a corner and then looked shocked, shocked I tell you when Dean pointed to the spot. Lanzini continued his Noble impression by duly tucking it away and with that everything went just swimmingly until it didn't.
I'll be interested to see if Noble gets his place back next week. Our central midfield was a strength today, and there's not much doubt that Lanzini moves the ball quicker than the skipper, without offering the same ability to win it back. I suspect that Andre Ayew might be jettisoned as I still have no idea what position he's supposed to be playing, which is pretty good going for our record signing.
5. The Art Of Getting Jumped
Of all the bad habits to pick up, conceding late goals to Spurs seems to be a fairly sub optimal one. Pochettino has actually been outwitted a couple of times against us in the past - once when Pep Guardiola's tactical inspiration Sam Allardyce played with no strikers and beat him 3-0, and then more recently last season when Bilic deployed a 3-5-2 at Upton Park and ended their title hopes.
I'm not sure if he was expecting us to abandon the 3-4-3 variant here, but Spurs didn't really get to grips with the game until after their equaliser, which contained more than a hint of good luck. Thereafter, they were clearly the ascendant side but our defending was resilient enough to keep them out until the worst 160 seconds I've experienced since someone agreed to let Pierce Brosnan sing solo during Mamma Mia!.
What didn't help was Bilic taking off Dimiti Payet with 5 minutes to go. Payet was our only outlet at that point, as Zaza was holding it up about as well as an imaginary scaffold, and once he was gone there was nothing to stop Spurs bombing on freely. I wasn't averse to solidifying things with another defensive player but surely Lanzini made the most sense in that situation.
I wouldn't say we lost because we stopped trying to win, but inviting any team to spend the last ten minutes in your half with no respite doesn't seem like a great idea to me.
He probably supports Spurs too, the smug prick.
6. All Good?
"It ain't all good, and that's the truth
Things ain't going like you think they should"
- De La Soul "All Good"
Talking of Payet, I may be overreacting wildly, but I can't help feeling this is the beginning of the end. They won't let him go in January - not even West Ham would be that bonkers - but if this season ends up as expected with a relegation struggle and a narrow escape, then that won't be enough to keep him. Sullivan can talk all he wants (and let's face it - he wants to talk) but he didn't surround him with good enough players and thus he'll demand the opportunity to play on the platform his skills (and agent) demand.
This leaves us with the terrifying prospect of no Payet and David Sullivan on a £50m pound spending spree. If we had a proper scouting network in place we might dream of Julian Draxler or Iker Muniain or Yannick Carrasco in replacement, but instead it will be whoever the agent of the week brings in, which will presumably lead to us wasting it all on Wesley Sneijder.
Anyway, enjoy him while you can. That's all I'm saying.
7. Potholes In My Lawn
Not to continue to state the eye bleedingly obvious, but the lack of a right back is destroying us. Whilst Nordtveit is taking all the blame it shouldn't be ignored that the first and second Spurs goals came as a result of defensive lapses on our right side. I am past blaming Antonio - he's not a defensive player and to continue to shoehorn him into the side there is a dereliction of duty by all concerned.
Alvaro Arbeloa is apparently on his way out having fallen out with Bilic, which is becoming a bit of a recurring theme. I have no issue with a bit of discipline but between Amalfitano, Sakho and Arbeloa there seems to be a bit of a pattern.
I also wonder, with no basis for this other than my own opinion, whether that ongoing investigation into Caroll and Randolph being on the piss in Shoreditch at 5am is a factor here too. You'll remember that the Club were determined to get to the bottom of that and then apparently appointed Sir John Chilcott to lead the inquiry as we've heard nothing since.
I doubt it's a great look when some lads can get pissed without it being career limiting, and others have to face up to being transferred to West Brom. As I say, all guesswork, but it doesn't feel quite right.
A little bit like having to consistently play Michail Antonio as a wing back.
8. Vocabulary Spills
Getting angry about Man of the Match awards is a monumental waste of time. It was slightly bizarre though, even by the standards of modern journalism, that Owen Hargreaves gave the award to Harry Kane, whilst admitting in the same breath that Winston Reid was the best player on the pitch. Stranger still was that Kane wasn't even the best player named Harry on his own side, as Harry Winks turned in an irritatingly decent performance to highlight once again the paucity of young talent being developed at West Ham currently.
Reid, was exceptional however, and after watching the game and reading every match report I can get my hands on I'm still none the wiser as to why he was sent off.
Kane, meanwhile, at least had the good grace to be as peripheral as he is when he plays for England before popping up with a tap in and a penalty and taking home the champagne. Whilst I admire their dedication to participating in social media trends, I just feel our defence could have picked a better time than the 88th minute of a London derby before joining in with the Mannequin challenge.
9. Stakes Is High
I was pretty surprised to see Darren Randolph get the nod ahead of Adrian, but with the latter having followed the centuries old West Ham tradition of losing his form as soon as he got called up by the national team, I guess it wasn't too shocking.
He has a tough run of games now in which to cement his place, although some may argue he's likely to get plenty of opportunity to show off his skills. We have kept just three clean sheets all season and have won each of those games. We have yet to pick up a win in any league game where we have conceded a goal.
Stick with me, I've got an idea, it's on the tip of my tongue.
10. Change In Speak
Hate is a strong word.
Nobody comes here to listen to my politics so I don't generally indulge that. I average about 800 visitors for each post and possibly a few multiples of that when the column is carried at KUMB. So I'm not kidding myself that I speak for anyone other than myself, or that I'm speaking to anything other than a tiny majority of West Ham fans.
I have no doubt that some of you think me self important, and you'd be quite right. I write a column that no one pays me for, and then ask people I don't know to read it. You'd have to have a certain level of self importance to do that, especially in an age when people are not even remotely reluctant to tell you they think your writing is "fucking awful".
But I'm going to say this anyway. A lot of West Ham fans have convinced themselves that they hate Spurs fans. It might be true for some, but I suspect it's not really. I have some close friends who are Spurs fans and we all accept the enmity and have generally lapsed into not ever talking about the football at all. I certainly don't hate them or anyone else who supports them. It's like these things that I say I hate but I am really just mildly irritated by:
- people who have long, inane, wittering phone conversations on quiet 7.30am trains
- people who queue for planes at the gate an hour before departure time
- people who get to Underground ticket barriers and then begin the search for their Oyster cards
(I am a dream to travel with, as you can see)
- ads before songs on YouTube
- Robbie Williams
- Anton du Beke
- Robbie Williams performing on Strictly whilst Anton du Beke dances; and so on.....
And so even though Spurs fans are annoying when they win, and the whole "Spammers Cup Final" thing is irritating it's worth remembering that you're not 14, and it's supposed to be irritating because that's what football fans do.
Hate is a strong word.
If you really feel you want to respond to that, why not just point out that Spurs could have gone top of the league for the first time in March since 1964 when they visited the Boleyn earlier this year. Not just their Cup Final, but their biggest domestic game in 50 years and they shat themselves and didn't manage even an attempt on goal in the first half. We deservedly won and ended their league title hopes.
Why mention this?
Because at no point did that require the use of the word "Yid", "Yiddo", "Jew", "Fucking Jew" or a hissing sound.
This was the first game we've played at White Hart Lane in 3 years where there haven't been media reports about our fans signing anti-Semitic songs. I sort of feel like saying thank you to the fans that went, except that not singing Nazi songs shouldn't really be considered a success.
Post match Twitter, by contrast, was awful with plenty of West Ham fans seemingly throwing around anti-Semitic barbs with furious abandon and then retreating behind the mealy mouthed "it's just banter" excuse because yeah, wasn't Dachau funny. LOL. Megabantz. I wonder if these people have ever considered even briefly what it must be like to be a Jewish West Ham fan and have to stand next to people hissing. That's rhetorical. They haven't.
Twitter isn't real life, and I am well aware that a tiny number of twats posting anonymously on a social media site doesn't mean a great deal, but you know it's not like we don't have previous for this.
I'm not even sure I really have an acceptable pay off to this point other than to say we should all be aiming to eradicate this bullshit completely. Call them out on social media, block them from our forums, report them to the Police. Anti semitism is a disgrace.
I've written and deleted and then re-written this a couple of times. No one comes here for this, I know, and people being abhorrent on Twitter isn't really news but this is a "thing" that people now associate with our club. I wondered if any other club had a similar label and stuck in "Sunderland anti Semitism" as a test and the only thing that came up was loads of articles calling Paolo di Canio a Fascist. So, yeah, it's a bit of a West Ham thing.
It's only football, folks.
Hate is a strong word.
* Read more from HeadHammerShark at thehlist.blogspot.co.uk and/or follow him via twitter.
Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.
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Domingos Quina signs professional terms with West Ham
By Nick Lustig
Last Updated: 21/11/16 5:44pm
SSN
Promising midfielder Domingos Quina has signed his first professional contract at West Ham, which keeps him at the club until 2019. Quina, who turned 17 last Friday, joined the Hammers in the summer on an initial two-year scholarship deal following spells at Chelsea and Benfica. He has already featured twice for West Ham this season, both appearances coming in the Europa League against NK Domzale, and also scored a 40-yard wonder goal against Leicester City for the Under-23s in October. I chose West Ham because it is a great club and they like to give young players opportunities to break into the first-team like Reece Oxford and I hope to do the same. "I like to enjoy my football and do things which people are not expecting. I really enjoyed my goal against Leicester and it was a great moment. "That was not the first time I had scored a goal like that and hopefully there is more to come. "I know that talent alone is not enough to see me develop as a player and I just want to keep working hard every day. Hopefully I will get my chance."
Quina has already showcased his talents at international level for England Under-17s at the European Championship and will now aim to impress manager Slaven Bilic further and become a regular part of the first team. Bilic added: "I am personally delighted with the news. We know a lot about him and he came away with us on pre-season. "He is one of those players that you think if he doesn't make it, then which player will? "He has got everything and it is now down to us and up to him how much he is going to improve and dedicate his life to achieve something that God gave him. There is no doubt he has something exceptional. "He is skillful and is one of those players who doesn't have to think about his first touch because it comes so naturally to him. "He is not afraid of challenges and has skill
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West Ham keeping tabs on Dundee teenager James Cowan with several English clubs interested
The 18-year-old is a target for several English clubs with West Ham, Derby and Oxford with the Scottish Premiership club ready to let the midfield prospect move south
The Mirror
West Ham are keen on Dundee teenager James Cowan. Cowan, 18, is a target for several English clubs with West Ham, Derby and Oxford with the Scottish Premiership club ready to let the midfield prospect move south. The Hammers have been keeping tabs on the highly-rated central midfielder. Slaven Bilic's men are looking for reinforcements in the new year with Watford's Troy Deeney an option to bolster a faltering forward line. Andy Carroll is injured while Diafra Sakho, whose proposed summer switch to West Brom collapsed, has only made one appearance this season due to a back problem. Loan strike duo Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri have both also failed to make an impact at the London Stadium.
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Valencia plan to help West Ham get rid of unwanted player
VALENCIA are reportedly preparing to offer Simone Zaza a way out of West Ham.
By JOE SHORT
PUBLISHED: 21:09, Mon, Nov 21, 2016 | UPDATED: 21:28, Mon, Nov 21, 2016
Express.co.uk
Zaza has endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League since his loan move from Juventus. West Ham will trigger a permanent transfer worth around £17million (€20m) if Zaza plays 14 games for the club. The Italy international has not scored in 10 appearances and may struggle for more game time after Diafra Sakho's return to fitness. And Valencia are said to be monitoring the situation closely. According to website Gazza Mercato - an affiliate of Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport - La Liga side Valencia are very keen on a January loan deal. For that to happen Juve would have to agree to cancel Zaza's loan agreement with West Ham. However, by doing so they would potentially miss out on a lucrative sale of a player they have no plans to retain. Valencia may therefore need to agree to the same terms West Ham settled for in the summer. Another option is for West Ham to trigger the permanent move for Zaza and then offload him straight on to Valencia on loan.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic defends subbing of Dimitri Payet for Havard Nordtveit after late Tottenham defeat
JAMES BENGE
Evening Stadnard
Slaven Bilic insisted that he had not erred in substituting West Ham's star player Dimitri Payet in the closing minutes of his side's 3-2 loss to Tottenham. The Hammers were 2-1 up with five minutes when Bilic withdrew Payet for defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit at White Hart Lane but Spurs would rally to claim victory, Harry Kane scoring in the 89th and 91st minutes to secure three points for Mauricio Pochettino's men. To make matters worse for Bilic it was Nordtveit who conceded the penalty that allowed Kane to win the match, carelessly bringing down Heung-min Son on the byline to set Spurs on course for victory. But Bilic maintained that his decision to substitute an attacker for a defender was the right course of action even if it backfired on the Hammers. "It was like five minutes to go, we were 2-1 up, from my point of view, for our point of view, it was a logical move to put on a fresh body," Bilic said. "He was excellent but we thought, 'Ok it's like the end of the game, we are winning, let's hold on.' We wanted to score a third one but when we see them coming then you think you can resist it with one more player, a fresh body for five or seven, eight minutes."
Kane's penalty inflicted a seventh league defeat on West Ham in just 12 matches; Bilic's side continue to sit just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
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Ian Bishop says Danny Rose's antics sickens him
HITC
Subhankar Mondal
West Ham United lost against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday. Former West Ham United midfielder Ian Bishop has criticised Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose on social networking site Twitter. Bishop was not impressed with the antics of Rose during the Premier League game between Tottenham and West Ham at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening. The 51-year-old has criticised Rose for diving during the match, and has also expressed his disappointment for West Ham manager Slaven Bilic. West Ham were 2-1 up until the final minutes of the match, but they conceded twice late on to lose 3-2.
Ian Bishop @BishBlueHammer
Gutted for Slav ⚒sickens me to watch Danny Rose asking the ref for the red after diving around himself all day.
7:35 PM - 19 Nov 2016
247 247 Retweets 486 486 likes
19 Nov
Over the course of the 90 minutes at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening, hosts Tottenham had 67% of the possession, took 14 shots of which six were on target, and earned four corners, according to BBC Sport. Vistors West Ham had just 33% of the possession, took 11 shots of which three were on target, and earned five corners, according to BBC Sport. Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League table at the moment with 24 points from 12 matches, while West Ham are just a point and a place above the relegation zone.
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