Bowen – hoping for a start
David Moyes claims he will attempt to do an Atletico Madrid who managed to frustrate Liverpool in their 1-0 Champions League win.
And although of course it is pretty self evident from the result he chose to add: “I thought they did a very good job to make it difficult. If you just look at the way they defend their box, they were really hard to beat.”
West Ham’s chances of emulating such an achievement are the stuff of covering your face with your hand when someone says something they don’t realise is causing untold mirth.
After all in his nine games in all competitions, the Hammers have let in 14 although the manager believes things are on the improve and that we are not as vulnerable as we have been.
But it will need to be a whole lot better than that at Anfield as we prepare to take on a team which hasn’t been beaten in the Premier League all season.
However, Moyes continues to believe things are not as bad as many believe and sees games ahead as fixtures in which we will be picking up points.
Sadly, tonight looks likely to be one of those games where we will be peering from behind the settee unless there’s a remarkable upsurge in our form which hopefully will see Jarrod Bowen playing a part.
He said: “I think we are starting to defend much better. We have not been as wide open as we have been in the past.
“But we have conceded a couple of goals through set- pieces, which is really disappointing.
“We have to make our own luck and be better with the ball — but I don’t think I can question the boys over their discipline.
“I think we have got some games coming up which will give us the opportunity to pick up points.
“Even Liverpool. We have to look at it as an opportunity.”
West Ham’s players will wear shirts in the warm-up in tribute to Bobby Moore, who died 27 years ago today aged 51.
Let’s do this one for him lads!
COYI
How’s the mood now at 1-1 or have we all switched off
Good luck from London Blackpool (BASIL)
There’s only one way to get out of the situation were in and that’s by getting behind the team and the manager until the end of the season. Moyes has once again had to take over a car crash of a club. He deserves time to try and put things right.
We have all the tools to escape relegation But unfortunately any tool is only as good as the person using them.
With Moyes at the helm he will take us down for certain.
Its all well and good trying to be positive, but it doesn’t change reality. Look at his team selections, and subs. Like most I wanted Pelle out, but I would sure have him back over Moyes.
Hugh, i thought you were against all the negativity. Lots of the articles post City have been very negative and the comments thread follows suit.
We have to be realistic and actually look at what Moyes has been saying. His game plan against City was to be tight defensively, make it hard for them to break us down and then to hit them on the break and be clinical in possession. He said afterwards he was disappointed that we didn’t make the best of the moments where we were in possession. I don’t think he can be completely blamed as his tactics make basic sense. It is the players on the pitch that make the split second decisions that will dictate whether the tactic works or not and to be fair against City on the majority of occasions the players going forward made the wrong call or gave the ball away with poor execution of passes etc.
The negativity following that game is tiring to be honest. We probably have had the most difficult round of fixtures of any club in the PL with Liverpool twice and City. We should give Moyes a bit of a break because he has been thrown in right at the deep end and just has to firefight to the end of the season and get us over the line.
I personally don’t have an issue with him not using Bowen instantly. Snodgrass is in form and has scored or assisted in most of his recent appearances and will also provide excellent delivery from set pieces which against City or Liverpool is a viable tactical option. You have to be able to walk before you run and that is what Moyes is trying to do and is the opposite to Pelle which was an approach slated by the fan base. Now he is being slated by the same fan base. Truth is the fan base of this club is almost impossible to please, the proof of which is in the pudding.
Oh really. We are defending much better … all thanks to Oggie and Diop’s commitment.
But Mr Manager, if you keep on selecting Masuaku and Fredericks (now injured) we will keep on having lots if goals and losses against our name. We grateful Roberto is elsewhere.
Get Jarrod into the team asap, and stop with the ridiculous excuses, which only you understand.
And get Haller and Antonio working together. Antonio not good at being a lone striker.
Coyi … for legend Bobbie Moore, and West Ham supporters. God bless.