Moyes set to beef up scouting staff

Moyes on a scouting mission at Chelsea last season

David Moyes will set up  a new West Ham scouting and data analytical team over the next few weeks.

The sacking of Manuel Pellegrini, Mario Husillos and their team needs to be replaced and first on the new manager’s list of candidates for the chief scout’s job could be his former colleague Robbie Cooke.

Cooke – the former Kettering Town assistant manager and first team coach – became a part-time scout for Preston North End under his former Cambridge United teammate Moyes at Preston North End.

He subsequently followed the Hammers boss to Everton in 2002 and Manchester United in 2013, serving as chief scout at both clubs.

Moyes is also likely to appoint four more scouts and analysts whilst also using Wyscout – an Italian company that supports scouting, match analysis and transfer dynamics.

The company provides video analysis tool and digital databases regarding performances and matches for coaches, teams and players dealing with football business.

The purpose is to allow them have a detailed sight of a large number of athletes about individual performances, patterns of play and tactical strategy.

The Hammers have four scouts at academy level whilst Paul Konchesky is also used to follow the progress of our loaned-out youngsters. All are also available to cover matches on a general scouting mission if required.

Beyond that the club will continue to commission scouts in various European countries to check out particular targets although many games can now also be covered on TV where streams are invariably available.

However, Moyes himself is very hands-on and insists on seeing every player himself before any transfer decisions are made.