David Moyes’ words ahead of the Hammers game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane came hurtling back at me as I read a post on the ClaretandHugh Facebook forum a few minutes ago.
Admin member Neil Tidd posted: “Something bugging me about DM Bowen comments, needing time to adjust to Premier League. How is that working for SHEFFIELD UTD ?”
Quite apart from being an outstanding observation it immediately demonstrates the Hammers manager is eating his words he made about the Blades ahead of our game when he said: ”
“They’ve all come up from the lower leagues and shown that they can play in the Premier League, and I think that comes from having a really good team and manager, and they all know what’s expected from them.
“I quite enjoy seeing managers who have to earn their stripes, prove themselves in the lower leagues, and then they move up.”
Given Moyes gave the thumbs up to spend £22 million on Bowen and reckons he’s an expert on signing Championship players he should surely know what to expect from him!
Forgive us for reminding the bloke, but we would point out the only way anybody can prove they are up to the job is by playing them, something Moyes seems strangely reluctant to do in Bowen’s case.
Neil’s comment was immediately followed by another on our forum from Bill Ryan who added: “Really starting to regret bringing him (Moyes) back.
James Maddison came from Championship straight into Leicester side so those comments don’t hold water makes no sense.
Hard to argue with any of that!
Stupid argument for Moyes to make, we would have 2 quick wide players (Antonio and Bowen) who could support a centre forward, with Anderson in midfield. Play 4, 5, 1 with the two wide players able to support the front man.
As said in the previous post, don’t think Bowen would be affected, looked like he settled in pretty well against City. Liverpool and City are in a different stratosphere to the rest of the clubs in the league even if results for City this season haven’t reflected that.
I understand Moyes mindset, he has a real assett in Bowen, we need goals in the team and doesn’t want to crash his confidence against teams that can put 5 past anyone and will have possession for large chunks of the game, is it possible Moyes is right ? it would be a monumental shock afterall if we beat Liverpool at Anfield or even got a draw tbh, Southampton on Saturday is likely to be a much more even affair and even the other top 6 teams, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham he can make a bigger impact so is it short term pain for long term gain ?
Should have said I understand if not agree with Moyes mindset
I understood and agree with DM, if we hadn’t been playing the two outstanding teams in the prem and probably in Europe I’m sure it would have been a different approach but this makes perfect sense to me.
Take away the fluff and what Moyes means is we havent got a chance in beating city and liverpool so play tight and keep the goal difference down.
No point risking the big players and will save them for the must win games.
Very pragmatic
May Jarrod score a quick couple of goals for West Ham, to make Moyes swallow more of his words.
Moyes during to Bowen, which Bilic did to Antonio. Dont want to think what Klopp and Pep would have done with Bowen, Diangana, Holland, Cullen and Silva if they played with Liverpool, ManC etc.
They would be super-stars by now. May the blinkers come off Moyes’ eyes soon, starting on Monday.
Coyi. God bless West Ham.
My point entirely…………. as it is the same for at least a few of our youngsters still here at our club or out on loan.
Hard to know what conclusion to come to honestly . Although I find myself more persuaded to think it would have better and would better to play him in a supposedly set of games where we probably can’t win anyway . On the one hand I agree with DM but on the other I don’t .
Glad it’s Not my decision . One thing is for sure ; we need to get behind DM and the team and give our best support regardless .
What is Moyes actually sparing Bowen from? gaining Premier League experience!!?
Play him against City and Liverpool, let him enjoy himself and there’s no pressure when it comes to the Southampton game. If Southampton’s his first start (which is likely based on Moyes’ post match comments), the pressure will be far greater on Bowen.
Also, had we actually played with a bit more ambition at City and fielded a side capable of providing a threat, maybe we could have nicked a vital point – same at Anfield. I think Moyes has let a crucial opportunity slip away and will repeat the dose tomorrow – big mistake.
When you start making comparisons with West Ham and Sheff Utd,Burnley and half a dozen others you can only come to one conclusion and that is as we all know something is seriously wrong with the whole set up.Yes Snoddy has scored a few of late but to continue to have both him and Noble in midfield is like football suicide especially when young players like Fornals are totally overlooked.Would love to see what Dyche,Wilder could make of our squad or is it just a lost cause full of expensive individuals who cannot play as a team.
Would like to see back four, then Rice and Souceck play with Fornals, Anderson, Bowen and Antonio. That would give even Liverpool something to think about.
That’s the team I suggested yesterday Harry, glad to know I am not the only one thinking to mirror their 433 formation. The times we beat the big teams is when we attack them, same for other teams also, get on the front foot and hope it’s your day 😀
Would like to see back four, then Rice and Souceck play with Fornals, Anderson, Bowen and Antonio. That would give even Liverpool something to think about.
am being allocated a photo of someone I don’t recognise! (he’s a lot younger 😉
Agree with Moyes not throwing Bowen to the lions straight off. Play him against city and Liverpool in his first two games for us feeding off scraps and big losses could damage his confidence. Knowing some of our fans they would be writing him off after his first two games. He must also be aware of how damaged the confidence of players like Anderson and Haller was before Moyes arrived at the club. Players that cost 40 million plus.