Moyes gushes about defender and it spells bad news for Johnson

Bad News for Ben Johnson

Hammers manager David Moyes has given right-back Vladimir Coufal a massive vote of confidence. Speaking to the press ahead of the EPL game against Euro rivals Newcastle, the West Ham boss explained exactly why the Czech defender is one of the first names on the team sheet.

Coufal is out of contract in the summer, and many have speculated about his future at the club. However, Irons manager Moyes has picked him ahead of Ben Johnson on every occasion, despite some impressive performances from the West Ham academy graduate.

Now Moyes has gone a step further in speaking to the press about Coufal, and if anyone had any doubt about which of the two West Ham right-backs was more likely to get a new contract, they won’t be uncertain now.

Bad news for Johnson as Moyes hails rival

“First of all, I have to say we are talking about a fantastic boy and a great lad in Vladimír Coufal, when you consider what we paid to bring him in with the way he plays and his loyalty,” said the manager, barely able to contain his admiration.

“The way he conducts himself as a West Ham player, it’s superb, it really is, and he’s contributed in other factors like his assists for goals. He continually works hard, he pushes himself to try and improve himself, and if he can get us another four or five assists before the end of the season, it would be fabulous.

“He’s been a really good full-back, and modern-day full-backs are being asked to do different jobs. Some are playing in midfield, some are building play, some are putting crosses in, and Vladi is putting crosses in for us, and that’s the type he is.”

Well, that’s that then. When the manager starts calling you “Vladi,” you know you’re the teacher’s pet… I wonder what ‘Benny’ Johnson will think about it?