David Moyes says that he is pulling his hair out as he attempts to get West Ham back to form.
The Hammers drew 1-1 with Newcastle on Saturday, meaning they have only won one of their last five games and are in real danger of falling away in the top-four race.
The club are now one point behind Manchester United in fourth but that could move to four points if United beat Leeds, while the gap is closing from the chasing pack too.
And Moyes now admits that he is pulling his hair out as he tries to get the Irons back to the way they can play, such as their win over Liverpool earlier this season.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the draw with Eddie Howe’s relegation-threatened side, Moyesie said: “I’m pulling my hair out that I just can’t get one or two players back at it, or closer than they are. So we’re going to have to look closely to see what we can do about it.”
He added: “We have to recognise that we’re not quite at it. We probably need to start individually, I’ll check to see if we think we’re doing the right things to get them back [to their levels], but ultimately we need to find a way of getting a better level of performance than we’re getting at the moment.”
Moyes does claim that there is nothing he can criticise in terms of the work rate of his players, but the game against Wolves next weekend has now taken on an added importance.
He said: “There’s no questioning anybody [in that regard]. If anyone questioned any of our players on their effort or commitment, I’d back the players up 100 per cent.
“But what we’re lacking at the moment is being more creative on the ball, being correct on the ball, even doing the correct things defensively.
“I didn’t think we cleared our box well today at all and we didn’t show good designs in our play, in truth. All of those things come before anybody could question that we’re not working hard.
“So I think it’s the other things we have to look at first.”
Use some U23’s and all your subs.
Not hard
Agree with BoleynIrons here. Where are our promising young guns? Why is Ben Johnson third choice full back? Also why is Antonio so deep? If he isn’t getting in the box, play Bowen plus three midfielders. Two games in a row it’s half time panic subs then late on regardless. Sub strategically using all available options. We are looking at eighth place now
Got lucky for a period, very Declan related, now going through a dry spell. He is competent but not anything worth writing home about. Moyes… Let’s see if he can’t get through this period. He won’t activity improve it, all about whether someone else steps up to the plate.
As a team they all need to step it up , earlier season we were awesome . Let’s see the pushing , quicker passing , team spirit and some flair back . We all know how we can play & the team know it . Let’s get back on it lads today is one to learn from. Come on lads . COYI ⚒
Moyes needs to stop playing players who are out of form, Soucek has not played well for a number of games. He is very quick to whip off Benrahma who was a bright spark today and yet you continue to leave Soucek on the pitch. We need a ball playing player in the middle with Rice, Lanzini and Fornals are the options. Also how long more are you going to put up with Antonio what is going on with him he is taking throw ins and whipping in crosses instead of being in the box. Finally Moyes persistent in picking players like Fredericks is embarrissing for him as much as for the player. Bring in the u23s to give us energy off the bench instead of playing players who have proved they are not good enough. For all the good Moyes has done his decisions are holding the team back and I just hope this week he considers changes for the benefit of the team and if we want to make Europe.