Mediawatch - 4 April

Mediawatch

Today's papers include news of a possible new contract for a Hammers star...

West Ham are set to offer Michail Antonio a new contract in the summer, according to The Sun.

This article quotes a source as saying: “Michail will be offered the new deal after what has been a fine season for him personally.

“The club wants to keep its top players happy and he is certainly one of them, he’s been fantastic.

“There will be a few others who will get new contracts as well. It’s been a tough year but we’ll get there.”

One of those other players believed to be in line for a new deal is Winston Reid, who will have his buy-out clause upped to £20m.

Meanwhile, transfer rumours continue ahead of the window reopening in the summer, with the Evening Standard reporting West Ham interest in Arsenal's Jack Wilshere. The England international is currently on loan at AFC Bournemouth.

Jose Fonte says on Sky Sports that he has he working hard to find his best form.

“I haven't been as good as I perhaps was before but I am working to get there," he said.

Fonte also says the players must take the blame, and not Slaven Bilic, for the team’s recent form.

He added: “We are all behind him obviously. [We must take] the majority of the blame. We have to take responsibility ourselves. The players are the ones on the pitch, so we have got to come up with the goods and help not only the manager but ourselves and make the fans proud.”

Former Hammer Dean Ashton tells talkSPORT the Club’s board was right to come out and support Slaven Bilic.

Reacting to the Board statement released on Sunday, Ashton said: “At the weekend they lose [Michail] Antonio - one of their better players, and it shows. When they lose one or two, they just cannot cope.

“For them [the West Ham board] to come out and say that about Slaven, that was the right thing to do.”

Finally, Dimitri Payet has given another interview in France over the end of his time with the Hammers, now saying that he feared losing his place in the national team unless he moved back to his home country.

The quotes have been picked up by the Daily Mail and Payet also says he does harbour regrets on turning his back on the fans who loved him, although he admits they now probably ‘hate me as much as they loved me’.