From the Boardroom - David Gold

Gold
I am thrilled that we have been able to secure the signature of highly-rated defender Reece Oxford for another four-and-a-half years.

It sends out a real message of intent that we mean business and have managed to secure the future of one of the best young talents in the English game.

We have shown with the players we have brought in and the ones we are securing for the future that the Club is heading in the right direction.

Ten-years ago these players might have left West Ham United but that is not the case anymore and they want to play at London Stadium. Reece compares with some of the best we have produced.

I hear from experts that he is the best young central defender since Rio Ferdinand so that speaks volumes for what he has achieved.

We know there have been a number of big clubs who have been interested in signing him, so getting him to stay is a big coup for the football club.

We now want to see him fulfil his potential. He has a good family and a good manager behind him.

We have players going off to the African Cup of Nations and it will leave some opportunities. We all saw what he did against Arsenal last season and it showed he has the quality to compete at the highest level.

We have enjoyed a memorable week so far with a crucial draw against Liverpool at Anfield and then an important victory over Burnley.

We now want to finish the job with another big three points against Hull on Saturday.

Slaven said he was looking for a reaction from the players following the last home defeat against Arsenal and he certainly got that last Sunday as the players responded with a superb display at Anfield.

The performance set us up nicely for another big game on Wednesday night and everyone was calling it a must-win fixture.

It certainly put a lot of pressure on the team but they responded in the best possible manner. It wasn’t a classic, but the most important thing is that we came away with the three points at this stage of the season.

We are now preparing for another big game against a Hull team who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and will not make it easy for us.

This is not going to be a walkover and I am sure that Slaven will be telling his players that we will have to show the same mentality that we produced against Burnley and remain patient if we are to get another important victory.

We have a very special guest coming back for the game on Saturday with former hero Clyde Best being introduced to the fans at half-time.

I have no doubts that our supporters will give him a special reception. He was always a big favourite and I will be pleased to meet up with him for the first time, having watched him showcase his talents on so many occasions at the Boleyn Ground.

Enjoy the game on Saturday.