Bilic regrets slow start
Our under pressure manager Slaven Bilic rues the way in which we started yesterday’s game conceding twice in the opening 10 minutes. The Croat was speaking in his post math press conference and said “It was another Jekyll and Hyde display”. Our boss was referencing to our contrast in play between awful defending and scoring frequently on the attack. Bilic has come under a lot of pressure in recent weeks and yesterday was no different but the boss was clearly disappointed with the way his players performed. We are now without a win in 5 League games and rooted to 11th spot looking nervously behind us at the relegation zone. The boss is mainly regarded as the right man to take us forward but with a 37% win percentage some fans are beginning to question that statement. The Hull City game the other side of the International break now suddenly becomes huge in terms our bosses future at the club.
U23s bow out of cup on Tyneside
Our young Hammers were in action in the PL2 cup quarter finals yesterday lunchtime. The bright young stars battled hard but it just wasn’t enough to stay in the PL Cup that we are the defending champions of. Despite goals from Ashley Fletcher and Declan Rice, we were unable to stop Newcastle equalising twice and finding an extra time winner through Sammy Ameobi. The U23s face Middlesbrough at home next on April 10th in the race for promotion to the Premier League 2 Division 1.
Antonio gets England call
Our top goal scorer Michail Antonio has been called up by Gareth Southgate for a second time for upcoming friendlies against Lithuania and Germany. Despite it being the third time Antonio has been picked for England he is yet to be capped for the team. Antonio said “My hard work has finally been noticed”. The former non League striker was talking to WHUFC TV on his third national call up. Antonio has 10 goals this term and has been a pivotal part of our attack throughout last and this season. Andy Carroll who was tipped to make the cut in Southgate’s squad has been left out and remains uncapped since 2012. Bright young U23 keeper Nathan Trott has been called up to the England U19 squad for upcoming elite round qualifiers. Home-grown talent Reece Oxford has been called up for England U18s latest squad. The 18 year old has impressed in the Premier League and Europa League for us but is currently on loan at Reading.
Hammers join race for Mandzukic
It has been reported this week in the Sun that we have joined the race for 30 year old Juventus man and Croatian international striker Mario Mandzukic. We have been linked with the tall striker a few times of late and he was certainly in form to impress Bilic when Juve visited us at the London Stadium pre season. Mandzukic has enjoyed an illustrious career banging in goals at Juventus, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid but could the London Stadium be his next destination? It has been rumoured that we will face opposition from Turkish side Besiktas for his signature in the summer.