David Moyes was not an entirely happy man at the end of today’s draw at St James’ park but is seeing the sort of improvement which is putting confidence into the players and fans.
The change from the opening games has been pretty dramatic in Hammers terms with four points and five goals but the four points should really have been six.
Now it’s on to the Burnley match on Wednesday evening -a game that gives us a great opportunity of making a giant step towards safety.
The pleasant reality for the manager is too that on the wide right he is suddenly spoilt for choice between the highly in form Jarrod Bowen and impact sub Andriy Yarmolenko who is responding to the competition on that side in exactly the right way.
Moyes assessment that the Irons probably finished the better team this afternoon is about right and at last there’s a spring in the step of players and supporters as we prepare for the rest of the campaign.
And speaking after the game at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/july/05-july/david-moyes-were-picking-points-must-tighten Moyes said: “I think when we look back, we’ll probably think we’re disappointed after getting in front a couple of times, certainly the second time to concede a goal so quickly
“By the end we probably were the team who had played the better – we got two or three chances near the end of the game.
“You’ve got to remember Newcastle are in-form, and they’ve showed really good form so far this season. I thought they played well in the first half and made it difficult for us in lots of ways, but all credit to the players.
The players stuck at it. A point wasn’t the worst result, but I think we’ll all feel that there was a chance here to take three.
“The players are in good spirits. We played well in midweek and had a great win against Chelsea, and we came here today and did okay. I’m disappointed that we didn’t defend better at the times which really mattered.
“We’ve started to find the net a few times and probably could’ve done a few more times today, but ultimately, we’ve got to stop conceding if we’re going to win games.”
One player who once again impressed off the bench was Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko, who came close to winning the game late on – as he did against Chelsea – with a venomous 25-yard strike, beaten over by Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka.
“He could easily start,” Moyes said of the Ukrainian, “it’s just with the form of Jarrod Bowen. Jarrod made the first goal today and has been involved.
“Jarrod’s form has been very good as well and they play in a similar position. We’ve got two very good players – Yarmolenko’s a very talented player.”
“This was a huge game, because we’ve come through a really difficult period of games prior to the lockdown and also when we’ve come back,” Moyes added.
“We’ve picked up some points. We see these games as opportunities to get something on the board, but we have to prove it on the pitch, and we’ll go into the next game against Burnley on Wednesday and try and see what we can get from that game as well.”
Another very good performance by the lads who are now looking the part. Different problems set by form side Newcastle but we came through and looked controlled dangerous with good passing. Lovely team goals and the only down side was a notable lack of intensity straight after scoring our second. We are shaping nicely now and look strong.
Another creditable performance without quite hitting the heights we achieved against Chelsea. We reverted to giving the ball away in promising positions in the final third a few times but still played well. Watched Liverpool v Villa and thought Liverpool were guilty of taking their foot off the gas for much of the game. Good job they don’t play any teams below us now . Still think we will be ok .
Conceded 2 goals, again.
Good all round performance. Would still like to see Wiltshire get the last half hour in matches.He showed against Chelsea he still has the ability to open a defence up,especially when players are getting tired
Dropping two points due to imo a player that doesn’t suit our side or possibly premier league . Too slow in the way to defend and dreadful at striking and his only a attribute is can see a pass that he is good at. Pablo I think better suited to the Spanish league and has cost us over the restart of building a better performance. As for Moyes I’m no fan and putting on noble who I like just slowed the pace but his two latest buys of bow and sou are pure diamonds .