Evening news round-up for Friday 09/12/16 by 337hammer.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic: These are the two ways to beat Liverpool.

They are an attack minded side but first of all, you have to be solid and stop them creating and scoring, countering into those positions where they are very dangerous. “They attack with numbers and leave the back quite open and there is a lot of space. They have a good transition, but there is a big space sometimes.

“So far, they have showed by the way they play at Anfield, you first of all have to be solid. “I’m not talking about parking the bus but you have to have numbers behind the ball and stop them creating, playing football between the lines.” dailystar.co.uk

Antonio and Cresswell back for Liverpool clash.

Slaven Bilic will welcome Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell back into his squad for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Anfield. The pair have returned to full training this week after recovering from groin injuries and are set to give West Ham United a lift as they seek a confidence-boosting win over Liverpool.

“From the three players who got injured in the EFL Cup game, a couple of them should be back. Antonio and Cresswell are training with us today after the press conference and according to the medical reports they are fit and they are OK. “With Cheikhou Kouyate, it is a little bit different. We were hoping he would be OK for Sunday’s game, but unfortunately he will have to miss it. It’s not a big [groin] injury, but he has a great chance to make it for the Burnley game in midweek. whufc.com

Bilic insists he has club’s support as he looks to turn around season at Liverpool .

Bilic said: ‘We had a conversation like we normally have. I speak to the chairman after every game, a couple of days after the game. It was a good conversation but it wasn’t a meeting. ‘I feel the support, I have said it so many times. In the conversation we had, I felt the support. I know what we achieved last season and it is time for us to turn it around.’ dailymail.co.uk

Slaven Bilic – ‘I was NOT criticising my staff!’ West Ham boss blames injuries for poor form.

“The main reason why we lost that intensity is that we have had so many injuries, all in a small space of time. “Then, because we had three games in a week, we had to balance things, not walk on eggshells exactly, but to be careful in training. “I would like to clarify this now, I was not criticising my staff.”We have had a good few days’ training but, rather, I want and expect to see a good reaction in the long term.”

“I was very disappointed after that match and what I said was from the heart,” he added. “Now, almost a week later, I just want to make it clear that it is because of the disruption to our squad caused by so many injuries. “Maybe I should have made more of the effect of those injuries after the game and I know many would have done. “Maybe that was my mistake, but I have always hated to say something following a defeat which sounds like excuses.” talksport.com

Bilic: I will field my strongest West Ham team at Liverpool.

I am hoping that some of the injured players will be back for the match at Liverpool on Sunday and that is a big boost. There will be some who might advocate holding back the players who are returning for the two home matches, but I don’t agree.

Every game is of equal importance and if we can play as well as I know we can, then we have a good chance at Anfield. Don’t forget, we earned a point at Old Trafford recently. With some, it is not possible to expect them to play three games in a week because of their injury situation, but we’re not going to rest half the team just because it’s Liverpool. standard.co.uk

Matthew  Etherington has slammed the West Ham players for not trying hard enough.

Etherington, who made 195 appearances for West Ham, said: “There are a lot of players at the club who are out of form and don’t seem to be putting in 100 percent. “When the team go behind then there are too many heads that are dropping. “Not enough players are standing up and trying to get hold of the game and make a difference for their side.”

Payet has been worrying in the last few games, his body language for a start. “I know he is still creating chances for the team but in the game away to Manchester United in the EFL Cup and at home to Arsenal last weekend, Payet looked like he didn’t want to be on the pitch. dailystar.co.uk

Sam Byram hoping to make West Ham return against Swansea on Boxing Day.

West Ham defender Sam Byram is hoping to make his comeback from a hamstring injury before the end of the year. “I’d like to think in two weeks I’ll be ready and available for selection,” the 23-year-old told Sky Sports. “But it’s a case of seeing how the rehab goes and not pushing too early because with muscle injuries if you do it again, you’re back to square one and then I’ve got another two months out.

“We’re taking it steady, but doing all the right things. As a player, you’re always pushing the physio, asking when I’ll be back, but you’ve got to tick the boxes each day. “I’ve got to hit 85 per cent speed, then 90 per cent, I’ve got to fulfil certain strength requirements and on each day, you make progressions. “Some days, it might be a bit sore, so you back off and then you push on again.” skysports.com

Bobby Zamora announces retirement from football.

Former Brighton striker Bobby Zamora has announced his retirement from football. Zamora, who turns 36 next month, has been without a club since his release by the Seagulls at the end of the 2015-16 season. He has succumbed to a niggling hip problem that required surgery.

2004-08: West Ham (152  appearances, 40 goals) dailymail.co.uk

Trust in Slaven Bilic is key for West Ham, says Danny Murphy.

Ten new players arrived at West Ham in the summer, which is far too big a turnover. When you do that, you are very lucky if you get a smooth transition — and that has not happened for West Ham. I am worried about them now. They capitulated far too easily to lose 5-1 at home to Arsenal last weekend.

Communication is vital after such results and I hope they got everything out in the open in the two or three days afterwards. It is vital that the players trust Slaven Bilic’s tactics because if one or two start to doubt him, there will be trouble.  standard.co.uk

Boleyn Ground’s East Stand knocked down as demolition work continues.

West Ham’s former home at the Boleyn Ground has continued to be knocked down – with the East Stand the first of the four stands to be demolished. New pictures show that the stand, which used to sit adjacent to nearby Priory Park, has now gone after diggers completed the process of taking up the pitch. standard.co.uk