David Moyes gave his virtual pre-match presser ahead of West Ham’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Monday and this is what he told reporters.
Michail Antonio’s new contract, how important was it to get that done?
Really important because he had an option that we needed to take up. I think it was before the end of January so it was something that we were happy to take up.
He has been really important since lockdown, scored a lot of goals, how he’s played but we are pleased that the club had everything under control and I am thrilled that we have got Micky sorted and all I need to do is get him fit and firing and how he has played over recent weeks.
How have you viewed the season so far?
Normally this is the halfway point but I think we are only a third of the way through the season which I think might be something the players will feel the effects of later on in the year because I think we are going to have a very long season.
But I have really enjoyed it so far, we are playing well, the players are playing well in a lot of games, showing lots of good characteristics, resilience, scoring goals and lots of improvement from where we were before.
It’s only a third of the season gone, this is a really busy period for us. It’s a good time of the year for footballers but once you’re through it, you’re happy but going into it is always daunting.
To what What do you put your good start ?
We have worked hard, we wanted to improve. This time a year ago we were in the bottom three so the improvements we have made have been good.
I think recruitment has given us a chance, but more importantly the players have got themselves in a really good position, their fitness levels have improved and so has their attitude.
Again, we are by far the finished article. We have a long way to go. That takes time.
Chelsea, what have you made of them so far?
Very good, a good team coming together. They have got a lot of young players, they are trying to get them right back to where we are used to seeing them, winning the league and in cup finals. I think Frank [Lampard] is doing a really good job.
He’s got some really exciting young footballers who are going to have long and prosperous careers.
What are the skills required to blend the squad together in a shorter pre-season?
There are loads of things that need to come together but certainly the identification of what we needed was a start, what can be added and the characteristics.
We needed legs, more speed, to change the attitude regarding resilience and sticking at it, many things. But you can’t buy it all the time, you have to work on it and that working process can take time. So thankfully we had a good start to the season, we want to keep it going.
The additions we have made have helped as well and I think I think this is a continuing process, trying to build. I have said it many times, it doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t expect it to always go the right way, it’s not an easy job, but I am really pleased with how we have done so far.
The players have been exceptional.
It’s a very tight league this year, can you see this continuing?
I am not too sure if there is a big difference between a lot of the teams this season, there are a lot of teams around who could be third or 15th or 16th.
At the moment there is very little, the competitive nature of the league has always been there and jone more so than this season.
I think we are missing the crowds and full houses, missing the whole thing about football. We all love football but we are looking forward to getting crowds back.
Do you enjoy the challenge of taking on different coaching styles?
Yeah, I do.
I have always said that football can’t be played only one way. So you have to make sure you embrace everybody whatever their style is.
We see Marceo Bielsa’s style and we all enjoy it, it’s always a challenge. I am always looking to see where I can improve, new ideas, that’s part of being manager and a coach.
Team news ahead of the game?
We are not too bad, one or two knocks. Fabian Balbuena missed midweek and I need to see how he is, I am not sure where he is going to be just yet.
Micky Antonio is back on the grass so we are pleased with that, whether Monday is too soon we will need to assess as well.
Overall, we have a few knocks and players carrying things but that would be normal getting to this stage of the season.
Close to your one-year anniversary, what’s been the most pleasing part?
I think it was coming back and avoiding relegation. That was big pressure, it would have been difficult for me if we hadn’t stayed up but that’s twice I’ve come back and we have stayed up so from that point of view, I want to move this team forward towards the top of the league.
We want to hang in there, getting good results and the players do as well. They have done really well, there are a lot of things improving here.
Frank Lampard, how do you keep that level head like he has?
Well it helps when you have got a little more experience with it but I have to say I agree, Frank has dealt with it very well. He is at a big club, big expectations and you are expected to win all your games.
The media do as well and they hunt you when you don’t win. I think the big thing with Chelsea is they have a good group of young players, English too, lots of internationals and the media are always keen on backing those players, that’s good to see.
They have always had a good academy over the years.
Frank has done a good job but with big jobs comes pressure. People are very quick to talk about you.