Issa Diop is not injured and was dropped for purely tactical reasons Claret and Hugh have learnt.
The 23-year-old travelled to Elland road but was a surprise absentee in the named squad losing his place on the bench.
Craig Dawson was named on the bench instead causing speculation that Diop was injured or suffered from a knock or strain in warm-up.
Diop remains match fit and available for selection and it was such the manager’s decision to include Dawson on the bench to make him feel important.
Moyes was set to clear the matter up in the post-match press conference but the question was not asked so it wasn’t discussed.
Diop has been sidelined since catching Covid, Fabian Balbuena took his place and has been in great form to keep Diop out of the starting line up.
Diop will be available for selection again on Wednesday when the Hammers face Crystal Palace at the London Stadium but is likely to be named on the bench again.
Diop should be on the bench instead of Noble . He can defend at corners and set pieces which Noble can’t so closing down the game would be far stronger . Noble does not contribute anything to help win a game so Diops height and speed are a far better attribute .
Firstly you are talking about Diop from the bench helping to ‘close the game down’ and then go on to criticise Noble because he ‘does not contribute anything to help win a game’ – make up your mind Peter!!
Nobes is obviously past his best but he offers a hell of a lot in terms of retaining possession which is vital when holding on to a lead in the later stages of a game.
You have not read my comment correctly . My point was that Noble dosen’t defend well enough to close down a game and therefore he must be on the bench to save a game? . AS he does neither why is he there ? Yes he has played to the best of his limited ability but time to move on . He is way below Prem standard .
Noble was a major factor in the spring when we were in a relegation battle. We are still in EPL due to his contributions. He brings a stablelizing influence that we need less frequently now, but is still of value.
If this is the case, it it completely wrong Diop offers so much more than Dawson, but I believe there is more to it because why include two full backs on the bench. Diop is a far better defender than Fredericks, I would even go as far as saying as a FB. I believe there must have been words between Diop and Moyes as this makes no sense otherwise, something is a miss. I also agree with Peter that Noble offers absolutely nothing and why he continues to be brought on at the expense of better players like Lanzini is soul destroying. Lanzini’s goal against Spurs has been a significant moment in the season so why would you continue to deploy Noble. Moyes is doing an amazing job, my guess is that he wants to generate some funds and looks like players like Diop and Yarmo could be on their way.
A west ham fansite mentioned that David Moyes gave Issa Diop a center fowards role in training yesterday.I agree that it would be better to have had Issa on the bench than Noble.The games are too quick for his slow legs running the risk of giving away free kicks in key areas.
I am a great fan of Issa Diop and hope that he finds a way back into the starting XI soon
Anyway Sean thanks for the update since I for one was wondering what had happened
This is simply background noise……
Moyes has EARNT my Trust and Respect as our manager and even though I haven’t understood everything he has done at times…….he’s then gone on to be proved right every time.
Keep up the good work Moysie… COYI
Hear! Hear!
I think some of you are way too harsh on Noble. Much as he is past his prime, he carried the team along with Antonio at the closing stages of the 19/20 season. Please, don’t forget that. Besides, the dilema for Moyes is not whether to play Noble or Lanzini. It’s more like: Lanzini or Benrahma. And he simply can’t make everybody happy, right?
Absolutely fantastic man management from Moyes. I can see what he’s doing getting all the squad involved at some stage, making them all feel apart of it even if it’s coming on the pitch at the end of games when there’s no real need for them. We’ve seen nearly every squad player involved at some point this season. Dawson is probably the only one who hasn’t got any minutes so far. Yarmolenko, Noble, Snodgrass, Diop, Lanzini, Johnson etc have all had minutes on the pitch.
Wouldn’t shock me if Moyes simply favoured Dawson over Diop. Dawson is an experienced honest pro type of player, apparently very well liked within the squad and trains hard also. Just speculating of course but if Dawson were out working Diop in training I could definitely see that appealing to Moyes over reputation or status.
Suspect Johnham1 Assessment correct.
Noble has not been PL standard for 3 – 4 seasons if you take an objective rather than nostalgic view. Longstanding servant but now overdue retirement.
Diop a fantastic prospect is probably our best center-back better than Balbuena & Dawson who contributed to Watford’s relegation. Diop unlucky to be out of the team on a winning run due to COVID – 19. Diop entitled to feel upset if not selected in Masuaku’s absence because due to patiently waiting for his opportunity to return to the first team.
Winning mentality managers do not pick match squads based on Sympathy or Nostalgia. Agree Diop would have been a better sub than Noble or Dawson!
Benrhama must start as he perpetually threatened Leeds defence.
It’s good to know Diop is not injured. I hope he bides his time, remains positive and supports his team-mates as a good pro should. In the past 2 seasons both Ogbonna and Balbuena have had extended periods out of the team and they’ve both come back so strong. I sincerely hope we aren’t looking to sell Diop in Jan. I’m not the only person on here who’s speculated in the past that he could be a decent defensive midfield option if Rice or Soucek get injured, if not a part of a back 3 again with Balbuena and Ogbonna, with Cress as left wingback.
I had not considered Diop playing holding mid. He probably would adapt really well.