West Ham scout credited with signing of the season

West Ham scout Jordan Miles has been credited with the recruitment of Tomas Soucek

A special report by the Evening Standard says Moyes asked Miles for a midfielder with legs and the head of recruitment analysis immediately suggested Soucek. The 6ft 4in midfielder has been a revelation at West Ham and ran more than 17km against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth-round tie last wee

Moyes is known to be meticulous in his recruitment work and due diligence spending 10-hour sessions poring over footage of targets with Miles and his other staff.

The West Ham manager is adamant West Ham will no longer buy “overpriced and overpaid” players and said he did not want to waste money after the club decided not to sign a striker last month.

Moyes remains set on overhauling West Ham’s recruitment operation but is happy to continuing unearthing gems with a small staff until then.

The manager says he is keen to bring in a head of recruitment this summer to aid the scouting and signing of new players, much of which the Hammers manager currently does himself but he may find it difficult giving up control of the scouting.