West Ham: Bilic shoulders blame; Antonio snubbed Premier League club; injury update
As things go from bad to worse, the Guardian claim that the club has postponed an investigation into the conduct of Darren Randolph and Andy Carroll after news spread on social media that the two were drunk at a London fast food restaurant on Tuesday afternoon. With a good result against Middlesbrough of vital importance this weekend, the club do not want to risk disrupting preparations for the must win clash as the Hammers search for their second win of the season.
In a surprise move, boss Slaven Bilic has taken responsibility for the behaviour of his players as he reveals that he encouraged a night out between the team to help the team bond with their new teammates. He said:
“It was completely my idea. After the Southampton game we had a big meeting and at the end of the meeting I told Mark, the skipper, to take the guys out to dinner, to spend time together is always good… There are rumours, I am aware of them, I spoke to the chairman about it and he agreed we should focus on the game. We are going to talk about it, find out what happened but now it’s not proven, it’s rumours. We will talk and if necessary act on it. That’s all I’m going to say on it.”
If proven, it may lead to concerns over the discipline of Bilic’s squad with the attitudes of some of his players having been questioned in the opening weeks.
One man, and possibly the only man, to have come in for praise this season is top scorer and in form winger Michail Antonio. Now, the Daily Star have revealed that he nearly joined Tottenham as a youngster but his mum would not let him. He told Goal:
“When my mum didn’t let me join Tottenham, it kind of gave me a confidence that I had the ability to do it but then again, it kind of upset me massively… I was in tears, because it was an opportunity to play for a professional team and I didn’t get to do it, but I’m here now so I can’t complain. In hindsight it’s definitely made me better as a player. It’s made me more hungry, it’s made me want to go out… it’s made me eager and I’m never satisfied.”
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Irons fans will certainly be pleased that Antonio didn’t join Spurs, as he has excelled this season after impressing at times last season following his £7 million switch from Nottingham Forest to London.
Slaven Bilic has also provided an update on three of the club’s injured stars as the Daily Star report that Aaron Cresswell is only a week or so away from starting training with the first team as he recovers from a knee injury after progressing well in training with the club’s under 23s this week.
Striker Andre Ayew is also set to return, though he is still a few weeks away, as he has progressed ahead of schedule since returning to France for treatment. Diafra Sakho is also much nearer a return and may soon be available for selection having been out for three months and it is now only a matter of removing any rustiness and regaining match fitness.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Habergaraj.
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