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West Ham in Race to Keep Versatile Defender

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

West Ham United face an uphill battle to retain defender Ben Johnson, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Fed Up Hammer_Ben Johnson played himself into first team contention

Irons want to keep Johnson

According to GiveMeSport, West Ham are still trying to negotiate a contract extension with Johnson, but they may be too late.

Crystal Palace are reportedly confident of signing Johnson on a free transfer. The Eagles believe Johnson is highly unlikely to stay with West Ham beyond the summer.

Johnson was linked with a move to Leeds United in January, but the transfer never materialised.

Despite not being a regular starter, Johnson has proven himself as a dependable utility player under David Moyes. He has played effectively in various defensive positions and even featured in more attacking roles this season.

West Ham’s chances of convincing Johnson to stay seem slim. The club may be forced to accept losing the versatile defender for free this summer.

Whether it is his agent turning the young mans head or he is genuinely unhappy, it will be a shame to see him go

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Moyes bullish ahead of daunting task

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

In yesterdays pre match press conference , David Moyes still believes that the Irons can bring an end to Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, which has seen Xabi Alonso’s side end Bayern Munich’s era of dominance in the Bundesliga.

Moyes tells fans to support Phillips_David Moyes_Press_Conference

Moyes still believes !

 

He went on to say..

‘You have to say we went to Leverkusen and it got to the 83rd minute before they scored the first goal. It might take us that long before we can do it, but we have to have that patience and that level of trying to find a way of winning the game, or certainly getting a couple of goals in front at the end of 90 minutes,’ Moyes explained in his pre-match press conference.

‘We’ll try to do it, we’ll do everything we can, but we have to be mindful of how we do it and not be over-exposed. We did a job at Leverkusen for long periods, but obviously we couldn’t quite see it through.’

‘I think we should give them respect. We’ll do our best on Thursday night to not give them too much, but ultimately they deserve the respect because of the results.’

‘Normally, it’s towards the end of the season that the biggest games come,’ . ‘If you’re playing big games at the end of the season it means you’ve been relatively successful because you’ve got to play good teams [to keep progressing].’

‘When you’re getting words like quarter-finals, semi-finals, it’s exciting. Obviously the final is what you want to get to, and win it, but you have to go through the process to get there. It will be a difficult, difficult game, but one we’ve got belief that we can find a way to try and make it.’

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West Ham Target £25m Striker as Antonio Replacement

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

West Ham United are reportedly set to prioritise the signing of a new centre-forward this summer, with Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri once again emerging as the leading target.

David Moyes acknowledges the need for a long-term solution to replace the aging Antonio. The 34-year-old Jamaican remains a crucial part of Moyes’ system, but his declining fitness levels necessitate a successor.

West Ham are prepared to make a £25 million bid for the 26-year-old Moroccan striker, according to reports from Diario de Sevilla. En-Nesyri boasts a strong track record, having scored 68 goals in 189 appearances for Sevilla. This translates to a better goal-to-game ratio than Antonio’s record with West Ham.

West Ham fans are already familiar with En-Nesyri, having faced him during the 2021/22 Europa League campaign. Moyes himself has been tracking the striker since January 2021.

En-Nesyri’s work ethic, channel running, aerial prowess, and technical ability are all qualities that align perfectly with West Ham’s attacking style. He provides a significant upgrade on Antonio’s limitations.

With a reported £25 million price tag, the transfer seems feasible for the Hammers. If successful, this acquisition could propel West Ham to a new level as a team.

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Out of Europe: Rice should have stayed at West Ham

Posted by Gonzo on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

Declan Rice and Gooners dumped out of Europe 

Maybe Declan Rice should have stayed at West Ham? Poor old Dec has departed The London Stadium with a European winners medal around his neck but may now be facing a trophyless season following his £105 million move to Arsenal.

I’m joking, of course, well, half-joking at least. I’m sure the former Hammers captain is delighted with his move to North London. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they have been knocked out of the Champions League by a Harry Kane-led Bayern Munich – ouch!

This will be new territory for Rice, who is used to reaching the semi-finals of European football at the very least at West Ham. He could, of course, win the Premier League title for the first time, with Arsenal poised in second place, having lost 2-0 to Aston Villa last weekend.

Declan Rice-European trophy

Out of Europe: Declan Rice can at least console himself with the fact that he is already a European champion

Rice is a fine player who I’m sure will have a glittering career. He’s already captained England and I’m sure will wear the armband at Arsenal one day. It was a bad night for Rice and Arsenal, but it was possibly a worse night for English football in general.

The Gunners’ defeat to Tomas Tuchel’s men, as well as Manchester City’s loss on penalties to Real Madrid, is bad news for the Premier League. The UEFA coefficient standings mean it’s highly unlikely England will be offered an additional European place next season unless West Ham and Liverpool can turn around deficits in their Europa League quarter-finals.

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Possible line ups

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

West Ham United face a daunting task in their Europa League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, with a string of injuries casting a shadow over their preparations.

19-year-old George Earthy, who made his Premier League debut against Fulham, suffered a worrying head injury after colliding with teammate Edson Alvarez. While he’s thankfully out of the hospital, he’ll be unavailable for tonights crucial match.

Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri are also out due to suspensions, further hampering David Moyes‘ options. Defender Dinos Mavropanos is also a doubt after struggling to finish the last two games.

In stark contrast, Leverkusen has just one injury concern – striker Adam Hlozek. They boast a strong attacking line with Boniface and Patrik Schick, while the highly-rated Florian Wirtz is expected to return after his impressive hat-trick as a substitute.

Manager Xabi Alonso has a wealth of talent to choose from, with the potential return of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo adding firepower. Exequiel Palacios could also replace Robert Andrich in midfield.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Zouma, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Coufal, Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Johnson; Kudus, Antonio

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Stanisic; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface

 

 

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West Ham Face Herculean Task

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 18, 2024 in News, Whispers

West Ham United prepares for a seemingly insurmountable challenge as they host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final. The Hammers face a daunting 2-0 deficit against a Leverkusen side that appears unstoppable.

Fresh off their Bundesliga title win, Leverkusen boasts an intimidating record. They are unbeaten throughout the entire 2023-24 season and have progressed from every European tie where they held a multi-goal lead in the first leg. Their recent 5-0 thrashing of Werder Bremen further showcases their dominance.

West Ham, on the other hand, is in a precarious position. They have lost their last two games and managed only one win in their past six. Their home record in 2024 has been poor, and they haven’t fared well when facing a two-goal deficit in European competitions. While they did achieve a comeback victory against a Bundesliga team earlier in the Europa League, their current form paints a contrasting picture.

Leverkusen’s success can be attributed in part to the leadership of manager Xabi Alonso. His decision to remain with the club has reaped significant rewards, culminating in their first-ever Bundesliga title.

A monumental upset win for West Ham would secure them a coveted semi-final spot against either Roma or AC Milan. However, achieving such a victory against the in-form Leverkusen seems highly unlikely.

The stage is set for a David vs. Goliath battle. West Ham, the underdog, needs a miraculous turnaround if they hope to overcome the seemingly invincible Leverkusen machine.

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Big Sou hasn’t given up yet

Posted by Gonzo on April 17, 2024 in News, Whispers

Bayer Leverkusen, having clinched their first-ever Bundesliga title in 120 years and currently on an unbeaten streak of 43 matches this season, face West Ham United in a critical UEFA Europa League quarter-final match. Despite Leverkusen’s formidable form, West Ham’s Tomáš Souček is optimistic about overturning the two-goal deficit from the first leg, drawing inspiration from past triumphs under the London Stadium lights.

The Hammers are set to battle it out on their home turf after suffering a 2-0 loss at BayArena, where late goals by substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface tipped the scales in Leverkusen’s favour. Souček recalls the unforgettable atmosphere during a previous encounter against Sevilla, where the support from the fans played a pivotal role in a memorable comeback. “The atmosphere was the best I’ve ever heard. It was a night to remember,” Souček reflected on the Sevilla match, emphasizing the impact of the home crowd.

West Ham once again relied on Tomas Soucek and luck to beat TSC Backa Topola

Soucek is banking on a loud London Stadium to roar the Hammers to victory

This is a special game

Looking ahead to Thursday’s match, Souček remains hopeful, citing the team’s resilience and the unique energy from the fans during European games. “We notice a difference with the fans on European nights. We feel the atmosphere even during the warm-up, and it pushes us,” he said. The Czech midfielder is no stranger to European challenges, having reached the semi-finals in a previous season and experiencing both the highs of victories and the lows of near misses.

The match also holds particular significance for Czech football fans, as all five Czech internationals still active in the Europa League and Champions League represent either West Ham or Leverkusen. Souček and Vladimír Coufal will don the Claret and Blue, while their compatriots Matěj Kovář, Adam Hložek, and Patrik Schick play for Leverkusen. “This is a special game for Czechs. I think every Czech in England will support West Ham, and every Czech in Germany will support Leverkusen,” Souček noted, highlighting the divided loyalties among Czech fans.

As the second-leg tie approaches, the excitement builds not just in London, but in pubs and restaurants across Prague and the Czech Republic, making Thursday’s game a significant event for Czech football supporters worldwide. Souček hopes that the spirit of past glories and the support of the fans will lead to another remarkable evening at the London Stadium.

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How to watch West Ham v Leverkusen

Posted by Simon Leyland on April 17, 2024 in News, Whispers

The UEFA Europa League heats up this Thursday (April 18th) with the second leg of the quarter-finals! Two Premier League sides, Liverpool and West Ham, are still in the running, but face daunting tasks in their respective ties.

West Ham given next to no chance

Liverpool: Trailing 3-0 to Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp’s men travel to Italy needing a near-miraculous comeback in his final season as manager.
West Ham: Down 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, the Hammers will aim to utilise their home advantage and potentially a resurgent Jarrod Bowen to overturn the deficit.

Other Quarter-Final Clashes:

Roma vs. AC Milan
Marseille vs. Benfica
Where to Watch the Action (UK viewers):

TNT Sports, the successor to BT Sport, is the exclusive broadcaster of the Europa League in the UK. They will air all the second-leg matches on Thursday, April 18th:

Atalanta vs. Liverpool: 7:00 PM on TNT Sports 1
West Ham vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 7:30 PM on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports UHD

Or if you are out and about it will be on 5live

Enjoy the game !

 

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Pearce: You lot need to hang on to Moyes

Posted by Gonzo on April 17, 2024 in News, Whispers

Stuart Pearce has leapt to the defence of David Moyes AGAIN in a continuation of his interview on Sam Allardyce’s podcast. While being pressed by host Natalie Pike, Pearce was unequivocal that his mate Moyes should already have a new deal, saying, “it should have been done by now.”

Clearly, the former Hammers coach was trying to navigate a minefield by sticking up for his former boss. However, much was revealed in his attempts to say very little on the subject.

Moyes-Pearce-West Ham

Brothers in arms: Pearce is sticking up for his mate Moyes

Pearce said when asked about Moyes’ West Ham future, “I’m not sure, it depends on whether Dave wants the challenge and whether the club thinks there’s a better manager out there.

“What he achieves between now and the end of the season, I think if he retains a European trophy I think it will convince a lot of West Ham fans. Look, you need to hang on to this fella, but it should have been done by now.”

I certainly don’t disagree with the last part, although it’s going to be a hard task with Leverkusen enjoying a 2-0 lead ahead of the UEFA Europa League second leg.

The West Ham board’s stance has remained unaffected for the last few months.
They will review the whole season with David Moyes after the end of the season and only after that dialogue will a final decision be made between the two parties on the manager’s future after the summer.

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How Moyes can stick two fingers up at his critics

Posted by Gonzo on April 17, 2024 in News, Whispers

David Moyes has the perfect opportunity to answer his critics [myself included] with the nature of his team instructions tomorrow night.

It will be incredibly difficult to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Leverkusen at The London Stadium. However, Moyes has a history of producing results when his back is against the wall. I have lost count of the number of times Moyes has won ‘must-win’ games when his job has been on the line.

Granted, the challenge he faces against Xabi Alonso’s men in the Europa League second leg is greater than most games. But Moyes has a tendency to come out fighting on such occasions, and I wonder if he might actually go for Leverkusen’s jugular tomorrow night.

Moyes-Leverkusen-West Ham-The Hammers manager will want to prove his critics wrong

Moyes will want to prove his pedigree against Leverkusen and prove his critics wrong

While Moyes has said little regarding his future over the last few days, his mood can be judged by the way his friends in the media have ridiculed Hammers supporters. Whether it’s Alan Shearer, Alan Brazil, Jeff Stelling, Sam Allardyce, or Stuart Pearce, the message is clear… Moyes deserves better than West Ham.

Pearce himself claimed to know Moyes’ contractual situation and mindset, so clearly, he’s in contact with the Hammers manager. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that his mocking tone towards West Ham’s trophy cabinet and history is shared by the manager.

Moyes can answer his critics

So, Moyes has the chance to come out fighting and prove he has what it takes by attacking Leverkusen. I believe the public display of training in front of the Sky Sports cameras was a contrived decision to publicly demonstrate that his team will be going for it.

I would not be at all surprised to see a team with a front three of Antonio, Kudus, and Bowen pressing Leverkusen from the beginning and attacking early. And despite my cynicism of Moyes and his media henchmen, I’m a West Ham fan and I hope he proves that he can come back from the brink.

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