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Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker

Hammers could pounce for London Stadium hero in summer transfer

The Hammers are reportedly interested in Nicolò Zaniolo, the Galatasaray wide-man currently on loan at Aston Villa.

The Italian will be familiar to Hammers fans following his goal-scoring cameo appearance for Villa at The London Stadium last week. In his brief time on the pitch, Zaniolo appeared to be an excellent player, albeit a slightly feisty one.

The versatile winger joined Villa last summer on a season-long loan, which included an obligation to buy if certain conditions were met. Unfortunately, Zaniolo hasn’t been a regular starter for Emery’s Villa side, meaning the obligation to buy is unlikely to be triggered.

Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker

Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker Nicolo Zaniolo

The winger has made 31 appearances in all competitions, however, 21 of those came as substitutes. The player himself has openly told reporters that he’ll leave the Midlands club at the end of the season, which could provide an opportunity for West Ham.

Personally, I like the player. He’s versatile, young, and at £18m, available at a price point which shouldn’t break the bank for West Ham. Clearly, much depends on David Moyes‘ Hammers future, but even if the gaffer does stay, I can see Zaniolo appealing.

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Reds look to Hammers for Salah replacement

Hammers raid for Salah replacement

Numerous websites are reporting today that Liverpool could consider raiding West Ham if and when Mo Salah moves to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.

Saudi interest in Salah is well-known, and the Reds are reportedly demanding a fee of over £100m for a player who will be 32 this summer. With manager Jurgen Klopp set to depart Anfield at the end of the season, it seems logical that his talisman will depart at the same time.

This would leave Liverpool in need of a right-sided replacement, and our own Jarrod Bowen has been suggested. It’s unclear whether these are old regurgitated stories or fresh interest, which would be bad news for West Ham.

Klopp is known to be a keen admirer of Bowen, recently calling him “my favourite player outside of Liverpool.” However, with the Liverpool manager departing soon, the transfer speculation could simply be a lazy link . . . I certainly hope so.

Attack the best form for defence as Bowen scored three against Brentford_Liverpool are reportedly targeting Bowen as a Salah replacement

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Bowen as a Salah replacement

The new Anfield scouting set-up are believed to be interested in Real Madrid’s excellent Rodrygo, who is rumoured to be lined up as Salah’s replacement. The Spanish club is reportedly demanding £100m for the Brazilian, which could prompt Liverpool to turn their attention to West Ham in pursuit of Bowen.

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C&H Exclusive: Hammers season tickets are too cheap

Club Source: “Our tickets are too cheap”

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham believes that London Stadium season tickets remain incredibly cheap compared to other London Premier League clubs insisting the savings in some areas compared with buying tickets match by match is up to 50%.

tickets are too cheap_West Ham know they made a mistake_London-Stadium

Hammers tickets are too cheap according to a top West Ham source

A Hammers club insider says the players’ wages and amortisation of transfer fees, can’t exceed a fixed percentage of turnover to comply with financial fair play regulations and sadly the revenue must come from somewhere to increase West Ham’s turnover to enable them to compete.

While this year’s increases in season ticket renewals are above inflation the club source insisted last year’s increases were a lot less than inflation.

Speaking to Claret & Hugh today a club source told us:

“Our season tickets really are too cheap, If we were starting afresh tomorrow our season tickets would be 50/75% higher and there would only be concessions in band 6. We cocked up badly by under-pricing season tickets from day one when we moved to the London Stadium. Most supporters realise how cheap they are! Our day one renewals this week were at a record level.”

 

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Tyneside Tussle: Newcastle v West Ham

Tyneside Tussle as West Ham face a tough away day
This weekend’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park is a must-win for both Newcastle and West Ham, if they want to sniff European glory.

The Magpies are an enigma. Their home form is scorching – they score in every game! But away from the friendly confines of St James’ Park, they’re a leaky mess. Conceding like a broken dam (seven goals in nine!)

The Hammers mirror Newcastle’s woes at the back, with clean sheets becoming a distant memory. We can light up the scoreboard, as evidenced by our Europa League win, but our inconsistency is frustrating.

This game hinges on which team can overcome their biggest weaknesses. Can Newcastle exploit their home advantage and keep the goals flowing while tightening up their defence? Or can West Ham’s attack overpower Newcastle’s leaky backline, or will their own defensive frailties cost them?This is a clash where both teams are walking a tightrope. Newcastle needs goals and a clean sheet, while West Ham needs to rediscover their defensive solidity without sacrificing their attacking prowess.

Both Newcastle and West Ham are desperate for European football. This is a six-pointer, and the tension will be thick in the Tyneside air. Goals on rival territory have been particularly difficult for West Ham to come by in recent times, and a fresh concern with the fitness of Kudus will do the Irons no favours whatsoever in that regard.

Kudus-Tyneside_Tussle_Newcastle v West Ham_EPL

Kudus will be needed in the Tyneside tussle on Saturday

Four of West Ham’s last six away matches in all competitions have seen Moyes’s men draw a blank in front of goal, and they have gone winless in their last four Premier League matches with Newcastle, requiring an 89th-minute intervention from Mohammed Kudus to rescue a 2-2 draw back in October.
I fear a difficult afternoon awaits.
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C&H Exclusive: Hammers to get tough on non attendance

Turn up or give up: Hammers to get tough on non-attendance

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham is planning to ban supporters from renewing their season tickets if they fail to attend the majority of games as they get tough on absence ticket holders.

The club have compiled a list of West Ham season ticket holders who attend very few games and do not list the ones they can’t make on the club’s ticket exchange

Hammers to get tough on non attendance_London Stadium_Season Tickets

Hammers to get tough on non-attendance for ‘no-show’ fans

Speaking to Claret & Hugh a club insider told us:

“We are not going to renew some season ticket holders who attend very few games and don’t list their seats on the ticket exchange, we are fed up with so many empty seats at games. The season tickets are so cheap some supporters pick and choose their games and it’s a real problem for us”.

West Ham has a licensed capacity of 62,500 on match days at the London Stadium but previous freedom of information requests have revealed that the real attendance can be up to 10,000 lower with many season ticket holders choosing to leave their seats empty.

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C&H Exclusive: Concession strategy revealed

West Ham concession strategy revealed exclusively to C&H

 

London Stadium_Concession strategy revealed_David Sullivan

The London Stadium Concession strategy has been revealed to C&H by a top club source

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham will follow Spurs’ lead by phasing out our concession season tickets by moving them to upper tiers and lower priced ticket bands it has been confirmed.

The West Ham United Supporters Trust blew the whistle in a statement saying the Hammers were introducing a new strategy for new season ticket holders limiting concession tickets to certain areas. There have been no concession-priced seats for some time in 1966 West Stand and 1966 Billy Bonds season tickets and now it looks like seats in bands 1 to 4 will follow suit.

Existing season ticket holders with concession-based prices in bands 1-4 will not be affected by the change.

Speaking exclusively to Claret & Hugh a senior club source told us:

“Spurs have scrapped all concessions and have just the one price now in each area.

In the long term, we want to create family stands for children and the elderly, but it will NOT impact existing season ticket holders renewing.

Spurs have scrapped concessions altogether, even on renewals!”

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Mini silly season gossip & news round-up

West Ham news round-up

With the international break in full swing, West Ham fans have been with transfer tittle tattle. Whilst it’s not quite the transfer window, the break in domestic football has prompted a mini-silly season of rumours. Here’s a quick rundown of the latest links involving the Hammers:

1. Charlie Hughes: West Ham eyes Wigan Athletic’s rising star Charlie Hughes to bolster their defensive ranks this summer. The 20-year-old centre-back has been turning heads with his performances in League One. Much will depend on whether David Moyes stays or goes.

2. Samuel Iling-Junior: Following England Under-21’s dominant 7-0 win, Juventus’ Samuel Iling-Junior is on the radar. With his contract winding down, a summer move seems probable. West Ham, previously linked in January, might reignite our interest.

3. Amadou Onana: West Ham’s midfield struggles could us them eyeing Everton midfielder Onana. The Toffees have fallen foul of FFP and may need to sell. Previously close to joining the Irons but went to Everton for more money.

4. Victor Boniface: The hunt for a striker intensifies with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface reportedly attracting multiple suitors. West Ham is among the clubs eyeing the prolific forward. Expect a big exodus from Leverkusen at the end of the season when Xabi Alonso departs.

Tim Steidten winning power and influence at West Ham

News round-up. Tim Steidten is evidently busier than Santa on Christmas Eve

5. Ivan Toney: Brentford’s Ivan Toney remains a target, with his potential arrival possibly influencing the future of star man Lucas Paqueta, who is expected to be in the spotlight this summer as reported by ExWHUEmployee.

6. Jonathan Tah: Yes, him again. Possibly just lazy journalistic work but he’s known to Tim Steidten.

7. Morgan Gibbs-White: It’s a big yes from me. Mega talented young Englishman. Nottingham Forest might be forced to sell due to them being on the same naughty step as Everton.

 

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The perfect storm for an empty London Stadium

Poor football, low transfer spend & price hikes could mean an empty London Stadium

With season ticket prices rising at West Ham next season, the club could be facing a perfect storm that may lead to reduced matchday attendance.

As Sean wrote earlier, the Hammers’ price hike could range from 6% to 11% depending on the ticket. However, with uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position and a low transfer outlay, fans may be unwilling to risk a significant sum on a season ticket.

Band 6 season ticket prices start at £345, which is exceptional value by Premier League standards. At the top end of the scale, the 1966 tickets are £1720, which is a considerable amount of money, especially with people’s budgets becoming increasingly squeezed.

However, the application of Financial Fair Play (FFP) with profit and sustainability measures will mean that many clubs will be unable to spend lavishly. Whilst West Ham are not in as dire straits as some clubs, it’s likely that our transfer business won’t break any records.

West Ham fans leave the London Stadium early as West Ham were thrashed by Arsenal_An empty London Stadium could become a regular occurrence next season

An empty London Stadium could become a regular occurrence next season

Therefore, the prospect of limited signings, combined with uncertainty surrounding the manager’s future, could decrease ticket renewals. Paradoxically, David Moyes is probably the perfect man to manage a Premier League club on a shoestring budget. His pragmatic style of football would almost certainly ensure survival, and the board’s prudent spending should prevent any points deductions.

Unfortunately, the plans for the London Stadium to operate at an increased capacity have probably come at the wrong time. While thrifty accounting and pragmatic football might be beneficial for the football club, I doubt it will be enough incentive for many to renew their season tickets at an increased price.

 

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Defender could end Moyes Maguire interest

Moyes Maguire interest over as Tah gets Moyes attention

West Ham’s defence has been about as reliable as my ex-wife trying to parallel park – all over the place. So, it’s no surprise we’re eyeing Jonathan Tah, a German brick wall with a knack for goals. His expiring contract screams bargain, but is it a deal too good to be true?

On paper, Tah is a dream. Towering and a tackling machine, he’d shore up West Ham’s wobbly backline. But here’s the thing – the Bundesliga ain’t the Premier League. Can Tah handle the firestorm of the English game? His German stats are shiny, but translating that to the Prem’s relentless pace is a gamble.

Tah is the man West Ham want to replace Nayef Aguerd

Moyes Maguire interest could end by signing Jonathon Tah

Moyes faces a tough call. Does he play it safe and chase someone proven in the Premier League (remember his Maguire fixation?), or is Tah’s potential worth the risk? The price tag is tempting, but a failed adaptation could be a disaster. West Ham need to be sure Tah can slot into the system seamlessly and handle the physicality of England’s top tier. As has been witnessed with Nayef Aguerd, not every sogning can handle the robust intensity of the EPL.

This could be a masterstroke if Tah adapts like a duck to water. But if he flops, it’ll be another frustrating transfer window for West Ham fans. West Ham should be cautious, but at least former Leverkusen employee Tim Steidten will be able to offer some advice. Is Tah the answer to our defensive woes, or just another question mark?  Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – this transfer saga is far from over.

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Last chance for Hammer with career in decline

Last chance for Hammer to avoid the football scrapheap 

Let’s be honest here, Kalvin Phillips has been awful since joining The Hammers on loan from Manchester City. His appearances have been marred by red cards and individual errors, resulting in West Ham conceding numerous goals.

In many respects, David Moyes’ decision to prioritise the signing of Phillips above all others appears foolish. If the midfielder arrived at West Ham with a valuation of £35-40m, it’s safe to say that figure has decreased by at least half.

Dropped by Gareth Southgate from the England squad, Phillips would have been dismayed to see Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo perform so well in his absence. However, the former Leeds man has an opportunity to reverse the decline in his career with a three-game audition for West Ham in the absence of Edson Alvarez.

Last chance for Hammer with career in decline with Kalvin Philips poised to replace Edson Alvarez

Last chance for Hammer? Kalvin Philips has had an awful start to his Irons career 

Edson Alvarez picked up his 10th yellow card of the Premier League season during the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa just before the break. This means the exceptional Mexican midfielder will miss West Ham’s upcoming matches against Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime and Tottenham on Tuesday night, as well as the first leg of next month’s quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen in Europe.

Last glimmer of hope for failing Hammer

These three games in the next two weeks are crucial and will significantly influence West Ham’s season run-in. David Moyes may have to rely on Kalvin Phillips for all three matches, putting pressure on the 28-year-old to make an impact during his loan spell.

The outlook isn’t promising. West Ham’s record without Alvarez is dismal, with just one point from three league games and no wins. It’s tough to admit, but so far, our record with Phillips isn’t much better.

So the pressure is on. If Phillips performs well for The Irons, he will have an opportunity to reignite his career. Should he fail, it’s difficult to see him getting another chance.