WHO Poll
Q: 2023/24 Hopes & aspirations for this season
a. As Champions of Europe there's no reason we shouldn't be pushing for a top 7 spot & a run in the Cups
24%
  
b. Last season was a trophy winning one and there's only one way to go after that, I expect a dull mid table bore fest of a season
17%
  
c. Buy some f***ing players or we're in a battle to stay up & that's as good as it gets
18%
  
d. Moyes out
38%
  
e. New season you say, woohoo time to get the new kit and wear it it to the pub for all the big games, the wags down there call me Mr West Ham
3%
  



Alan 2:23 Mon Apr 22
Monday news (includes West Ham)
BBC

Barcelona are interested in signing Liverpool's 27-year-old Colombia forward Luis Diaz this summer. (Sport - in Spanish)

Wolves are considering Arsenal's 25-year-old England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Liverpool's 25-year-old Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, and Sunderland's 23-year-old English goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as replacements if Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa, 31, leaves the club this summer. (Sun)

Manchester City are willing to listen to offers for 28-year-old England midfielder Jack Grealish this summer. (Football Insider)

Barcelona will listen to offers for 25-year-old Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo this summer, with Manchester United showing interest. (Sport - in Spanish, via Goal)

Crystal Palace could join the chase for Club Bruges' 23-year-old Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika. (Sun)

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are among clubs interested in signing Real Madrid's 28-year-old France defender Ferland Mendy. (L'Equipe - in French, subscription required)

Borussia Dortmund will have to pay a club record £35m if they want to turn their loan for Chelsea's 22-year-old Dutch defender Ian Maatsen into a permanent deal. (Mirror)

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe contacted Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel to see if he would make a commitment to the club should they part with current boss Erik ten Hag. (Georg Holzner - in German)

A number of Premier League clubs are considering a move for Atletico Madrid's 19-year-old Spanish striker Samu Omorodion, who is on loan at Alaves. (AS - in Spanish)

Manchester City face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Wolves' 22-year-old Algeria left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. (Mirror)

Arsenal will have to pay 60m euros (£51m) if they want to sign 24-year-old Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus this summer. (Tuttosport - in Italian)

Manchester United and Newcastle could move for 29-year-old France midfielder Adrien Rabiot if he does not sign a new contract with Juventus this summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian)

Leeds are likely to accept offers close to £30m for 20-year-old Italy winger Wilfried Gnonto, who is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. (Football Insider)

Newcastle are lining up a £25m move for Juventus' 19-year-old Spain Under-21 defender Dean Huijsen, who is currently on loan at Roma. (Mirror)




Sky Paper Talk

DAILY EXPRESS

Antony has come under fire for his celebration aimed at the Coventry City players following Manchester United's dramatic penalty shoot-out victory at Wembley. The Brazilian was seen cupping his ears and running away from the players following Rasmus Hojlund's spot-kick.

Boris Becker has hinted at a possible Wimbledon return, after the legendary tennis ace missed the previous two championships because of a prison sentence.

Chelsea may reportedly miss out on Teun Koopmeiners this summer despite scouting the in-demand Atalanta midfielder.

Martina Navratilova will boycott the WTA Finals after the decision was made to host the competition in Saudi Arabia

DAILY MIRROR

England stars are planning "military grade" security for the Euros following a spate of raids on Premier League footballers.

Xabi Alonso's press conference was cancelled after Bayer Leverkusen's draw with Borussia Dortmund as an alarm blared at Signal Iduna Park, ordering visitors to leave the stadium.

William Saliba confessed his legs were tired and he craved a bath and a massage after an exacting win at Wolves.

Frenkie de Jong was forced off on a stretcher in tears during El Clasico as the Barcelona midfielder saw his foot rotate in a horror challenge.

THE SUN

Crystal Palace could join the chase for Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika.

Manchester United are speeding up the arrival of top scout Sam Williams as their plans take shape.

French side Bordeaux have denied that manager Albert Riera slapped an opponent during a post-match tunnel melee.

DAILY MAIL

A familiar face was being put through his paces at Liverpool's training ground recently as former captain Jordan Henderson, now an Ajax player, was spotted at the club's base enduring an intense one-on-one fitness session.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed the London Marathon in a time of four hours, 32 minutes and 52 seconds - before racing across the capital to Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Andre Onana made a final check with the referee about receiving a second yellow card in a penalty shootout - and avoiding suspension for the FA Cup final - before his act of gamesmanship helped Manchester United get out of jail at Wembley.

Middlesex have moved to downplay fears they will move from Lord's, with chief executive Andrew Cornish saying "we aren't going anywhere any time soon".

THE ATHLETIC

Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Manchester United fans have to be "a bit patient" while he tries to change the fortunes of the club.

Manchester United executive co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer attended Sunday's FA Cup semi-final victory over Coventry City, the first United game the two brothers have been to since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his acquisition of a minority stake in the club.

Marco Silva says he will "do his maximum" to keep winger Willian at Fulham this summer.

USMNT defender Sergino Dest has suffered a "serious knee injury" which could see him miss the Copa America this summer.

DAILY RECORD

Manchester City and Chelsea are among some of the top Premier League sides who are on the trail of St Mirren youngster Ethan Sutherland.

Crocked Abdallah Sima has spoken for the first time since limping off during Rangers win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

SCOTTISH SUN

Thiago Motta has backed shattered Scotland star Lewis Ferguson to bounce back from his knee operation and be better than ever.







Guardian

Crystal Palace put five past West Ham to leave David Moyes on shaky ground

John Brewin at Selhurst Park

Two more years? Increasingly unlikely. If exiting the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen, Europe’s most in-form team, was excusable, the manner of West Ham’s defeat to Crystal Palace may have put a line through David Moyes extending his stay. This was punishing and West Ham’s manager did little to hide his disappointment as a former nemesis came back to haunt him.

“Nothing to do with it,” Moyes said when asked if West Ham’s Selhurst shocker might derive from such uncertainty. “If it is, then it is,” he said when asked if his future was now out of his hands. Previously he has spoken of a contract unsigned through his personal choice.

Two seasons ago, Oliver Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt team denied Moyes’ Hammers in the Europa League semi-final, and had Palace not moved for the Austrian, he might have been in contention for the vacancy possibly opening up at the London Stadium.

Last week’s tactical coup at Anfield pointed towards Glasner’s progressiveness. The latter is the quality Moyes, for all he has delivered copper-bottomed security and a European trophy, is accused of lacking. If a Moyes team cannot supply solidity and shape then with entertainment off the menu, it has little to offer a fanbase craving thrills paired with devotion to the cause. That West Ham scored a second goal was down to a late comedy mix-up between Tyrick Mitchell and Dean Henderson.

“The first half was as bad as I’ve seen us play,” lamented Moyes. “I don’t think the teams I’ve had in three years have gone to the depths we have in three or four games this year.”

Glasner has been helped, where Roy Hodgson was hindered, by being able to field Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise in the same team. Palace’s flightiest Eagles soon hit their rhythm and their teasing of West Ham’s defenders often bordered on cruelty. Eze began a move from which Joachim Andersen, a rarely spotted overlapping centre-back, set up Olise to nod in the seventh-minute opener.

End-of-season carnival capers abounded in Palace’s play, particularly when Jean-Philippe Mateta was performing lollipops but here was an expressive, off-the-cuff football so seldom seen during Moyes’ reign. “An amazing performance and amazing win,” said Glasner. “The first half was nice to watch for me as a manager and everybody here at Selhurst Park.”

Mateta’s shot was saved by Lukasz Fabianski only to be converted by a flying volley from Eze, followed by hip-swivelling sexy samba celebration. West Ham were being cut to ribbons and Emerson Palmieri’s own-goal added farce to the already heady gumbo of fecklessness.

Moyes’ temper had long boiled over. He sat, arms crossed, swaddling himself as Mateta made it four. West Ham’s absentee defence looking to be now considering their holiday options amid freezing April weather. Adam Wharton, Palace’s deep-lying playmaker, excellent until leaving the field on the hour, was given space and time to spray the ball as he liked. “We didn’t compete,” said Moyes. “It was hard to explain.”

“Sacked in the morning” could be heard from the away contingent during that early onslaught and even when Michail Antonio poked in a Hammers goal, Moyes’ expression remained rictal with desolation. “I am embarrassed to sit here and talk on behalf of that team,” he said, as if attempting disassociation.

If a slight Hammers improvement came after half-time, Palace remained more threatening. Olise and Eze continued to bob and weave as they pleased. Eze laid up Mateta for the fifth, the striker allowed time to pick his target. The chances of Moyes being handed such self-determination appear low.



The Athletic

This felt like the end of an era for West Ham and David Moyes – clarity is needed soon

By Roshane Thomas

It was one of those defeats that felt like the end for David Moyes. A defeat that saw the return of banners and chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. A defeat where the possibility of Moyes leaving feels like relief for some.

Before the 5-2 loss to Crystal Palace, Moyes said he was not in a rush to decide whether or not he will remain as West Ham’s manager for next season. In February, he revealed a contract offer is on the table, but the grip over his future has loosened. Asked if his future would be taken out of his hands, Moyes replied: “If it is, then it is, fine — no problem.”

The defeat to Crystal Palace leaves West Ham eighth in the Premier League and facing an arduous challenge to qualify for Europe, having played two more games than Manchester United and Newcastle United.

In truth, their season is over. There is nothing left to play for following the Europa League quarter-final exit to Bayer Leverkusen and the questions over Moyes’ future only add to the negativity. Moyes will aim to turn it around, but this feels unsalvageable. To compound matters, West Ham’s next two league games are against Liverpool and Chelsea.

The manager is experienced enough to know conjecture over his future will dominate the agenda in the coming weeks. Post-match at Selhurst Park, it reached a point where he refused to answer more questions about his future. The lack of clarity is becoming a sensitive topic and it should not have to end like this.

Moyes’ second spell at West Ham has seen the team transition into perennial European challengers. Winning the UEFA Conference League means he has presided over one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. If Moyes is set to leave at the end of the season, he deserves a respectful farewell. He has helped transform the club with a significant focus on improving the recruitment team. But the prospect of a graceful send-off is becoming less and less likely after the ignominy of the loss to Crystal Palace.

“The first half was as bad as I’ve seen us play,” said Moyes, who has overseen heavy defeats to Arsenal (6-0), Liverpool (5-1) and Fulham (5-0) in 2024. “Lots of things were not correct with the way we played. We didn’t compete and it’s hard to explain why.

“The players got praised for their performance on Thursday (against Bayer Leverkusen), but today was so bad I can hardly put it into words. We’ve lost some games, some heavy defeats, but it’s never felt like the two or three we’ve had this year.

“I spoke to the players, they’ll have a couple of days to recover and hopefully when they come back they’ll be ready to perform in the remaining games. I’m so disappointed for the supporters who came today and I’m embarrassed to sit here and be speaking on behalf of the team based on how they performed. I’m the manager and I’ve not had many teams who’ve played like that in my career.”

Moyes’ in-game management, use of substitutes and style of play also remain concerns. Bringing on Maxwel Cornet for Mohammed Kudus at 5-2 down with five minutes remaining, for example, when youngster Lewis Orford, a promising midfielder in the under-21s, would have benefited more from the cameo appearance.

For Crystal Palace, back-to-back wins over Liverpool and West Ham show the attraction of heading in a new direction. Following Roy Hodgson’s dismissal, Oliver Glasner has impressed as manager. In 2021-22, his Eintracht Frankfurt team beat West Ham in the Europa League semi-final.

West Ham were 4-0 down inside 31 minutes at Selhurst Park, but the scoreline could have been even worse. Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise played like talents who should attract interest from the ‘Big Six’ this summer. Lucas Paqueta, whose long-term future remains unclear, produced another mundane performance.

A vibrant, energised and youthful Crystal Palace entertained the home crowd but, for West Ham, it was a reminder of why a summer rebuild is needed. Lukasz Fabianski had an off day and Angelo Ogbonna struggled and was substituted at the interval. Kurt Zouma, the captain, gave away possession before Eze’s goal and a breakdown in communication between Fabianski and Emerson Palmieri saw the latter score an own goal, while Vladimir Coufal’s form has tailed off.

And that is just the defence, let alone the need for more squad depth and offensive additions. West Ham also have the highest average age, 30.5, for a starting XI in the Premier League.

“(Liverpool) is a fantastic game to bounce back in and, hopefully, we can give the fans something to cheer about against them,” said James Ward-Prowse. But the cheers have turned to jeers and the discontent will only grow stronger if bad performances persist.

It feels like the end of an era for Moyes and this ageing team, but he is deserving of a better send-off than the anger and frustration he has been subjected to. An announcement about his future before the end of the season should be the most logical step in the days ahead







Replies - Newest Posts First (Show In Chronological Order)

Balto 10:23 Mon Apr 22
Re: Monday news (includes West Ham)
Probably against protocol but the Grauniad would not print this if it couldn't be confirmed.

West Ham ready to call time on David Moyes and target Rúben Amorim

• Heavy loss to Crystal Palace makes Scot’s departure inevitable.
• Talks held over move for Amorim despite links with Liverpool.

West Ham are set to part company with David Moyes at the end of the season and have held talks over an ambitious move for the Sporting Lisbon manager, Rúben Amorim.
A final decision has not been made on Moyes, whose hopes of a new deal are fading, but the 5-2 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday has made his departure all but inevitable.

There is an acceptance within West Ham that a change is needed, although the unpredictable nature of the club means that nothing can be completely ruled out. West Ham have four games left and could perform a U-turn on Moyes if he somehow secures European football for the fourth consecutive season.

But West Ham have won four games out of 21 played in 2024 and Tim Steidten, the technical director, has taken soundings from representatives of various managers. West Ham have spoken to Amorim, who has been in the running to replace Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The club face a battle to convince the 39-year-old Portuguese, who is seen as one of the brightest young managers in Europe, to join them. West Ham would find it difficult to beat Liverpool to Amorim, who is trying to lead Sporting to another league title.

Julen Lopetegui is an early frontrunner for the job and is understood to have attended at least one game at the London Stadium this season. However, sources have cautioned that the former Wolves manager is yet to convince David Sullivan, the co-owner. Reports that Lopetegui has been offered a three-year deal have been strongly denied. The 57-year-old Spaniard is also believed to have had an offer from Milan.

It remains to be seen who will make the final decision on the next manager. Steidten has ideas on who to hire and Sullivan, whose voice still carries the most weight, has been running the rule over candidates. A clear favourite is yet to emerge.

West Ham have looked at Lille’s Paulo Fonseca and Fulham’s Marco Silva. They were interested in the former Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier 12 months ago, but the Frenchman is currently working in Qatar. West Ham could look at Gary O’Neil should he decide to seek a challenge away from Wolves, while Graham Potter remains available more than a year after his sacking by Chelsea. Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach, is also among those being considered for the job.

Supporters are hoping for a manager who plays progressive, attacking football. There have been regular complaints about a lack of entertainment under Moyes, though he helped West Ham win their first trophy in 43 years last season.

West Ham were planning to give Moyes a new two-year deal earlier this season. Having won the Europa Conference League, they were sixth in the Premier League at Christmas. But their form dipped after a disappointing January transfer window and their chances of qualifying for Europe look slim given that they still have to play Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

West Ham have remained tight-lipped on Moyes and have been planning to sit down with him after their final game. Yet the manner of the performance against Palace has changed the picture. West Ham were 4-0 down after 31 minutes.

The solidity of old has disappeared. Only the bottom three have conceded more goals than West Ham and there have been calls for the club to offer clarity on Moyes’s position before they host Luton in their final home game on 11 May.

bill green 7:24 Mon Apr 22
Re: Monday news (includes West Ham)
Thanks Alan 2:23 Mon Apr 22

Texas Iron 3:15 Mon Apr 22
Re: Monday news (includes West Ham)
Cheers…

Thanks Alan 2:23 Mon Apr 22
Re: Monday news (includes West Ham)
Thanks Alan





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