Bergbau » were to return for the game against Indianapolis on Dec

Its probably one of the most popular non-Brexit questions being asked around London -- what is wrong with West Ham United?Hammers manager Slaven Bilic is still searching for answers as his team tries to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat Saturday against Middlesbrough at London Stadium.Following a seventh-place finish and a Premier League era-record 62 points last season, much was expected of West Ham (1-0-5) given their move to their new London Stadium grounds as well as a Premier League that featured evergreens Manchester United and Chelsea in a state of flux. It appeared a top-four finish could be in the offering for the Hammers, who have burgeoning stars in French winger Dimitri Payet and fellow midfielder Michael Antonio.While Antonio has lived up to the hype, scoring five of West Hams seven league goals, the magic Payet created with his curling, bending and dipping free kicks in 2015-16 has yet to materialise. He has yet to open his scoring account this season, and the Hammers defence has been in tatters save their 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Aug. 21.They were embarrassed 3-0 at home by Southampton on Sunday and have shipped 14 goals during their four-match skid. West Ham have not lost five straight Premier League matches since April 2-May 1, 2011, when they closed the season with seven losses and a draw en route to their last relegation to the ChampionshipI am concerned, Bilic admitted during his Thursday news conference. If we are talking about the last five Premier League games, its simply not the way we expected it to be, its definitely not good and thats why the only thing we are thinking about is the game on Saturday against Middlesbrough.Desperate times have called for desperate measures, and Bilic helped organise a team dinner Monday night to help alleviate some of the stress. That, however, sparked some controversy with rumours that striker Andy Carroll and goalkeeper Darren Randolph appeared intoxicated in public during the off-day Tuesday. The team said it was looking into the matter and both players reportedly denied they were drunk.Bilic, facing some scrutiny as Hammers manager for the first time since arriving in London last year, is confident a victory here could be a defining point to start a turnaround to an underachieving season to date.With one win we can build everything back and we have a good chance at home, he said. We are a team that is alive, the players are good together, they train, they listen, we talk about it a lot.But we need to do it in a game and not for half an hour, or an hour, or when we are one down or four down. But we have to do it for 90 minutes.Sunday loss was the first time West Ham were shut out this season, and Manuel Lazinis penalty in the 4-2 loss at West Bromwich Albion on Sept. 17 was the first goal scored by someone other than Antonio since James Collins tallied in the season-opening loss Aug. 15 at Chelsea. The Hammers have conceded eight first-half goals during their losing streak.New boys Middlesbrough (1-2-3) enter the weekend in 16th place on five points, two better than West Ham in the table. They have dropped three on the bounce in league play and are winless in five overall (0-1-4).Boro were unable to overcome a double by Tottenhams Heung-Min Son in the first 23 minutes and dropped a 2-1 decision at home to Spurs last Saturday. Ben Gibson pulled one back in the 65th minute, but offence is also a sore spot -- Middlesbrough have just six goals in league play.Like West Ham, Boro are consistently having lapses in the first 45 minutes, shipping six goals in the first half of their three league defeats.We need to improve our performances, manager Aitor Karanka said at his news conference Thursday. West Ham are not in their best moment but they are a good team. Our biggest mistake would be to think it is an easy game.The players need to know that we can compete, but we must compete from the first minute.Defender Fabio resumed training with the team and could be available to make his season debut in league play. He was forced off with an injury after the first 10 minutes of an EFL Cup loss to Fulham on Aug. 24.The teams have not faced each other since Middlesbrough took four of six points in the Championship during the 2011-12 season. Boro may also fancy their chances for success at London Stadium since they went 0-2-7 in their last nine matches at The Boleyn Ground. Damian Lillard Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Clyde Drexler Jersey .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Anfernee-Simons-City-Edition-Jersey/ .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Jaylen Hoard Blazers Jersey . The return match will take place next Wednesday. Udinese leads Fiorentina 2-1 in the other semifinal. Napoli staged a second-half comeback from two goals down after Gervinhos opener and a stunning strike from Kevin Strootman. Anthony Tolliver Jersey . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is moving forward in the recovery from surgery on his right knee.Peterson was seen running some short sprints in the teams indoor facility on Tuesday, while the athletic training staff supervised and his teammates went through practice on the field. With five games remaining in the regular season, theres no timetable for Petersons return, but the four-time All-Pro pick could be ready sometime in December.Coach Mike Zimmer has consistently refused to entertain any speculation about whether the Vikings might have the franchises all-time leading rusher in the backfield again this year, but when pressed on the topic by reporters he acknowledged that Peterson was probably ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. Zimmer said the running session, which took place during the portion of practice that was open to the media, was not the first for Peterson.He looked good to me, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. Im just amazed at the things that he can do. Other people with that injury, it might take them four to six months, but this guy hes ready to roll. I think hell be back, and hes definitely going to help this team.Peterson previously beat expectations to recover from surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee and joined the Vikings for the 2012 season opener. He went on to rush for 2,097 yards that year and win the NFL MVP award.The Vikings (6-5) are last in the NFL in rushing with 71.1 yards per game and 2.8 yards per attempt, with particular trouble in short-yardage situations that haunted them in a few of their losses. Even behind an injury-ravaged offensive line that has struggled to open holes all season, adding Petersonn to the anemic attack wouldnt hurt.dddddddddddd His presence, at least, would be a morale boost for a team desperately trying to stop a slide after a 5-0 start.Well worry about all that when that happens, Zimmer said. Right now, we have to focus on Dallas.The Vikings host the league-leading Cowboys (10-1) on Thursday.Peterson rushed for a paltry 50 yards on 31 carries in two games before tearing his meniscus against Green Bay on Sept. 18 and had surgery four days later. If he were to return for the game against Indianapolis on Dec. 18, that would be a little less than three months from the operation. The rematch with the Packers on the road is on Dec. 24, the five-year anniversary of the ACL and MCL injury to his left knee.Petersons teammates were predictably excited, speaking with more certainty than hope.He looked good, and it kind of caught me off guard, left guard Alex Boone said. We were doing a little walkthrough, and he was running around. We look forward to his return.Munnerlyn and safety Harrison Smith, both dealing with ankle injuries, returned to practice on a limited basis on Tuesday. So did linebacker Chad Greenway after the birth of his daughter. Linebacker Eric Kendricks (hip), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee), quarterback Sam Bradford (ankle) and defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder) were limited participants but should also be good to go for Thursday. Center Joe Berger (concussion) and punt returner Marcus Sherels (ribs) are the two key players likely to miss the game.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '