Leave a comment

Moyes gets three hours sleep because bar closed “early”

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

West Ham boss David Moyes got it right and some of us got it wrong! However, that’s what opinions and forums are all about so nobody over here is beating themselves up and nor should anybody else!

Instead Hammers fans should all be beaming today – right or wrong over the manager’s destiny amd well dpone the board for holding their nerve when relegation was so heavily on the cards.

That’s not for here though, Instead congratulations to the 60 year old Scot who with Declan and led us to glory in Prague. I’m so glad and happily admit to being wrong in the final outcome.

As for the boss himself he admitted himself that the reality of what happened in the Conference Final only sunk in when he returned to the east end last night ( Thurs).

Here’s what he had to say to the official site at www.whufc.com:

“I had about three hours’ sleep but that’s only because the bar shut in the hotel very early when we wanted it to be open much longer!

“For me, the thing about it, being a football manager, in the football industry, the majority of weeks you go home disappointed because your team hasn’t won, so to actually get to the final of a European competition and win it was massive.

“It sunk in for me when we got back to the East End of London tonight and saw the supporters on the streets. It was incredible.

“West Ham is a huge football club with huge support in East London and the proof of that is tonight. There were thousands of supporters on the streets tonight and the support we had last night in Prague was unbelievable.

“I hope we can continue to make progress and I think we have done over the last two or three years and last night was progress because we won a trophy. It was massive for us to win a trophy!”

Celebrations

Now, Moyes’ plan is to make nights like we experienced it this week happen more than every four decades.

“It’s very hard to compete at the top end every season, but all you can do is try to do your best every season and that’s what we do, and next season that’s what we’ll do,” he continued.

“We want to be involved in these competitions, especially when some big clubs are involved in them in them and didn’t win them, so for the players to play Thursday/Sunday and get a trophy at the end of it is some achievement.

“Last night is gone and we’ll have to win the next one now!”

 

 

Tags: , , Permalink
Leave a comment

Rice and Sullivan need a “remain” conversation

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

Hopefully another conversation between Declan Rice, David Moyes and David Sullivan is due over the next few days.

Despite the co chair’s statement that Dec has played his last game for the Hammers, there’s more than an argument for the club’s prize asset staying another year.

Of course, right now the Hammers are looking for over £100 million for the captain, that being based on him having two years left at the club.

Leave it another 12 months and it would probably fall to around £60m-£70m but another year in the Europa Cup along with the usual top performances could change that .

David Sullivan is not a man to break the sort of gentlemen’s agreement he has with the Declan and his agent/father Sean which allows the player to leave this summer whilst the Dec himself has never looked for more than the £60k a week he is currently earning.

That of course demonstrates this is not a money motivated young man and, although him remaining is unlikely, a conversation would do no harm.

Arsenal’s arrival – if that is genuinely where he is headed – is the big problem with them being Champions League contenders but the likelihood of them winning it maybe less so with Manchester City  standing in their way.

It could be argued the Hammers have more chance of winning the Europa and would it be impossible to hike Declan’s  wages top closer to £250,000, for say, that one year?

There may still be a few twists and turns in this one with both Man U and City standing by and, should Pep Guardiola’s club, come in it will probably be goodbye anyway despite his former Academy Director Terry Westley telling me Dec would sooner stay in London.

Like everybody else I am desperately trying to find a way for the lad to stay and hopefully we are not quite at the end of things.

After all any player who can follow in the footsteps of Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds by hoisting a Hammers trophy is somebody we have to do everything in our power to hold onto for as long as possible.

 

Permalink
Leave a comment

Sullivan keen for Moyes to stay

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

Sullivan keen for Moyes to stay at West Ham

 

Hughie Southon reports on latest Moyes/Sullivan West Ham scenario

West Ham co chair David Sullivan has confirmed that David Moyes will remain as manager until the end of next season…if the manager is happy to do so!

Moyes, having landed the Euro Conference Trophy and avoided relegation for the second time in his two spells, is likely to give the co chair at end of season talks today – unlike the “crunch ” talks as described by the Daily Mail

The manager came under enormous pressure as the club battled it’s way through 20 defeats this season but ended on a high with the Hammers finishing  in an eventual 14th place.

Imminent West Ham infrastructure waited on by Moyes

In fairness to the board they stuck by him throughout his troubles but the allegedly imminent appointment of a director of football under a new infrastructure was thought by some to be a possible problem given his normal insistence at having his hands on all transfer dealings.

That remains the word from certain sources today but Sullivan is keen for him to see out his current contract and talk again next summer about a new one.

Sullivan wants Moyes to see out last year of current deal

Commenting Sullivan said: ‘We believed in him. We came in for a lot of pressure from supporters, the press and everyone who seemed mad on making changes but we believe in honouring contracts.

‘David had a contract with us and has a contract with us until next summer and next summer we’ll look at it again.

‘Until then, if he wants to remain as manager then he will remain as manager of West Ham.’

Tags: , , Permalink
Leave a comment

Rice pursuit stepped up

Posted by Simon Leyland on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

 

Arsenal preparing to accelerate their pursuit of Declan Rice

 

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to accelerate their pursuit of Declan Rice.

The 24-year-old captained the Hammers to European success on Wednesday night with David Moyes ‘s side beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final of the Europa Conference League.

Rice has again been an instrumental player for West Ham this season, featuring on 50 occasions in all competitions, scoring five goals and registering four assists in the process.

The England international only has another year left to run on his contract at the London Stadium, though, and West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed via CandH that he will be sold this summer.

Sullivan, speaking in the aftermath of the win over Fiorentina, said that the Hammers had finally admitted defeat when it comes to keeping hold of the midfielder, who will seek pastures new ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

The co chair has said that he is expecting ‘offers to arrive today’, with a number of clubs keen to secure his signature this summer.

However, Arsenal have seemingly emerged as the frontrunners for the former Chelsea youngster, and according to The Daily Telegraph the Gunners will step up their pursuit in the coming days.

The report claims that a move for Rice could reach £92m, with West Ham not prepared to let him leave in a cut-price deal despite the player being determined to move on.

Rice has been with the Hammers since 2014, moving to the club after his release from Chelsea.

The Englishman made his debut for the East London club in 2017, and he has now featured for his current side on 245 occasions in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and registering 13 assists.

Speaking during the 2022 World Cup, Rice expressed a desire to play Champions League football at this stage of his career, which Arsenal would be able to offer if he moved to the Emirates Stadium.

Despite the Gunners seemingly being in pole position, Man United are allegedly still firmly in the race for the midfielder, as Erik Ten Hag looks to boost his options in that area of the field.

Tags: , , Permalink
Leave a comment

HUGE demand has Arsenal sweating over Rice deal

Posted by Gonzo on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

A huge demand from West Ham United has Arsenal sweating over any potential deal for Declan Rice. The Gunners are believed to be preparing a £90m offer which will fall short of the Hammers £100m price.

However it is the structure of that deal and the Hammers boards demand which have thrown a spanner in the works. It is usual for transfer payments to be spread over 5 years, but West Ham are demanding payment within 24 months.

Arsenal sweating over Rice deal West Ham_Arsenal_Declan Rice_Transfer

Arsenal  are sweating over Rice deal because the Hammers are demanding a huge fee up-front

Such deals are usually structured with a set payment and bonuses for games played and goals scored etc. It is understood that West Ham will be looking for the base payment paid within the fist two years. The initial payment could be as high as £85 million so it’s a fair chunk of cash.

Quite frankly I don’t blame the club for making such a demand. Declan is our player to sell, and we have to provide our manager with funds to replace Rice quickly.

This may prove to be a problem for Arsenal who would understandably prefer to offset the fee. The Gunners do have the money for Rice but paying so much up front will impact their own summer spending.

Such is Rice’s abilities as a player, West Ham may well need to replace him with two players. It could be that we look to sign a playmaker or a defensive midfielder but possibly both.

In that event, it’s prudent to arm ourselves with as much transfer cash as possible. West Ham face a mini-rebuild for next season with a striker, winger, full-back and midfielders required.

If Arsenal truly do want Declan they’ll have to pay the West Ham way.

Tags: , , , Permalink
Leave a comment

All the pictures and full report on Hammers victory parade

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

It has been a very long time since West Ham United has received such incredible publicity and the club, players, manager, backroom staff and staff deserve every inch of it!

Last night (Thurs) thousands welcomed the players back to the east end from Prague after the brilliantly snatched last gasp winner against Fiorentina.

The last time such an event happened I was a whip of a kid on the streets of the East end watching Mooro and the team of 1965 do exactly the same thing and it is so wonderful that a younger generation has had that same opportunity.

Fair play to the BBC website – they have done the club and the rest of us proud in their own coverage of the evening event and it’s a pleasure to publish their full coverage on our pages today.

So once again well done to everybody – board, manager, backroom staff, players and all the back up staff. What a wonderful night!

Here’s the BBC report

The streets of east London were a sea of claret and blue on Thursday evening as thousands gathered for the West Ham trophy parade after their Europa Conference League victory.

The Hammers beat Fiorentina with Jarrod Bowen scoring a late winner.

The parade started at the Champions Statue – which depicts the club’s 1966 World Cup winners – at Upton Park at around 19:00 BST and slowly made its way to Stratford Town Hall.

Many West Ham fans arrived early to ensure they got the best spot and cheer on their heroes, who had secured the club’s first major European trophy in 58 years.

West Ham fans gather to watch the Hammers' trophy parade
Fans had arrived early to get the best positions for the trophy parade

Hammers supporter Abdul said: “I’ve been buzzing all day.” 

“I’ve supported West Ham for over 50 years, I love coming down here, this club is everything. I never thought I would see this day, I’ve been longing for a European trophy.”

West Ham supporter at the trophy parade
Hammers supporter Abdul has followed the club for more than half a century

The Newman family – Ben, Nicky and their sons Tommy, Kai and Harry – had travelled two hours to be at the parade.

Dad Ben said of the victory: “It doesn’t feel real. We haven’t won anything in all my life so for us to win something, for us this is everything.

“The boys are lucky. We’ve had to wait 40-odd years to win something.”

Wife Nicky added: “I feel so emotional – we sobbed.” And son Tommy said: “It’s amazing. I’ve never experienced a final, it’s just been surreal.

“I’d have never thought it would happen, but it actually has. I can’t put into words how excited I am.”

The Newman family - Ben, Nicky and their sons Tommy, Kai and Harry - at the West Ham trophy parade
The Newman family had made a long journey to be part of the celebrations

The two buses carrying the West Ham players took longer to arrive at their destination than scheduled because of the amount of supporters who had turned out.

That meant it was almost 21:00 before they arrived at Stratford Town Hall, where thousands more fans had been waiting patiently for hours to greet them.

West Ham players celebrate on the open top bus
The open top buses carrying the West Ham players had to move very slowly through the streets of east London with thousands of supporters having gathered to cheer them on.
West HamWest Ham captain Declan Rice led the celebrations among the players on the buses

Throughout the journey, the players and West  Ham staff and officials had been dancing non-stop and that continued as they climbed on to a stage in front of the town hall balcony to huge applause from supporters.

There they lifted the Europa Conference League trophy – as they had done barely 24 hours earlier in Prague – prompting an explosion of tickertape and blue smoke.

Manager David Moyes, who won a major trophy for the first time in his managerial career, once again indulged in a bit of dancing, as he had done in the dressing room moments after their triumph in Wednesday’s final.

Moyes told the crowd during the trophy parade: “Incredible,” .

“We had incredible support in Prague and here in east London it is sensational.

“We had a brilliant night. We will enjoy what we have done just now.”

Captain Declan Rice also took to the mic, although did not shed any light on his future as he looks set to move on this summer.

“To lift this trophy for this club hasn’t hit me yet. It is so special. I am lost for words,” he said.

West Ham players on the stage at the trophy parade
The West Ham players gathered outside Stratford Town Hall to show off the Europa Conference League trophy to the fans.

West Ham have waited a long time to taste success in Europe again, but with their win securing a place in the Europa League next season, they will be hoping there is more to come.

Tags: , , Permalink
Leave a comment

West Ham squad chant “One more year Declan Rice”

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

Rice: Never gave up

Declan Rice and his West Ham future were again at the centre of attention as the triumphant Hammer paraded around the east end in an open top bus last night.

Despite David Sullivan making it clear the 24 year old was on his way out of the club this summer under a gentlemen’s agreement fans launched into a ” One more year Declan Rice ” chant as the parade continued.

With thousands upon thousands lining the streets, Rice and manager David Moyes were among those to lap up the reaction.

An Instagram live stream posted by Emerson also showed team-mates and fans playfully ganging up on their midfield leader with a chant about his possible transfer exit.

In unison, they sang: “One more year, one more year, Declan Rice. One more year, one more year, I pray. One more year, one more year, Declan Rice. Playing football the West Ham way.”

However, despite all that Arsenal remain favourites to sign him with interest from Manchester United and Bayern.

Permalink
2 Comments

Hammers favourites to sign Foxes star

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers

West Ham are being reported as being favourites to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes!

Relegated City are thought to want around £40 million for the exciting 25 year old who has also been reported as being a favourite of David Moyes.

According to a report in The Telegraph , he is now very much a Hammers target having been one of the few bright spots in the Foxes awful season.

Despite being relegated Barnes did extraordinarily well to score 13 goals and is now very much up for grabs with the Hammers more than ready to stump up the required fee.

Leicester winger Harvey Barnes is being linked with a move to West Ham

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is also wanted by Moyes despite the south west London outfit only taking him to Craven Cottage from Sporting 12 months ago but with cash avaialable the Hammers are now well placed to take him to the east end. 

David Sullivan and David Moyes want a quick resolution to the Rice saga in order to have the cash to get deals done quickly with the joint chair saying: “In due course, he (Rice) has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.

Tags: , , Permalink
1 Comment

West Ham “Rice replacement” doesn’t want to know

Posted by Hugh5outhon1895 on June 9, 2023 in News, Whispers
West Ham look set to miss out on reported Declan Rice replacement who is said to have no interest in joining us.
Numerous midfielders have been put forward to replace the man many consider the irreplaceable with the Serie A star regularly among them.
The Fiorentina  player was of course on the losing side against us in the Final of the Conference and like Nayef Aguerd had a great World Cup.
But it seems as though the presence of the  international team-mate at the London Stadium is not enough to sway opinion in his direction towards joining the Irons.

TheFiorentina midfielder impressed against the Hammers and his outstanding form has led to Amrabat being linked with a move away from Fiorentina, with Liverpool put forward as a potential destination during the January transfer window and West Ham also reportedly interested. 

However, Sofyan’s brother Nordin, who spent more than two years at Watford, has dismissed the possibility of a move to West Ham, insisting the midfielder is capable of playing for one of the best clubs in the world.

He told ESPN: “No, my brother wants to go to the top, and his desire is to play in Spain.

“A top 10 club in the world with a nice background would be realistic. After the World Cup, I know for sure that he is ready for it. At Barcelona, he is high on the list, but you know Barca’s financial situation.

“There are more clubs interested.”

 

Tags: , , Permalink
2 Comments

Moyes joins Greenwood and Lyall

Posted by Simon Leyland on June 8, 2023 in News, Whispers

 

Final thoughts     West Ham being West Ham

 

 

Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute winner saw West Ham end their 43-year wait for a trophy with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.

The Hammers won a first piece of silverware since 1980’s FA Cup, and a first European trophy since 1965, on a historic and emotional night in Prague.

Yes, it may be only Europe’s third-tier competition, the one treated as an unwanted distraction by Tottenham, among others, in its inaugural form last season.

But this is West Ham. The West Ham who routinely see relegation as an occupational hazard. The West Ham who made a song and dance of leaving their old stadium and an almighty hash of moving into the new one. The West Ham who had to go begging to their former manager to save them from the drop, 18 months after they got rid of him .

Just nine weeks ago that same manager watched as the away fans unfurled a ‘Moyes Out’ banner during a scratchy 1-0 win over Fulham, which likely saved his job.

Now David Moyes has written his name in West Ham folklore, joining Ron Greenwood and John Lyall as trophy-winning Hammers managers. A place in next season’s Europa League means the club has qualified for Europe three seasons in a row, for the first time.

And what a way to sign off for Declan Rice, destined to leave this summer but with the legacy of becoming only the third captain, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift silverware in the club’s 128-year history.

The Hammers have given their fans, 5,000 of whom were – officially at least – in attendance and the 20,000-or so who just wanted to be in Prague for their first European final in 47 years, the ride of their lives.

Thank you all !

Tags: , , Permalink