Zoumagate: Moyes and players “all disappointed”
Many were disappointed that he selected the central defender for his appearance in the team last night but the manager gave what we consider an entirely balanced view of his decision.
It would have been easy to play to what was a near captive audience of critics but instead the boss stuck by his principles as a football club manager and picked the team he thought best for the job.
He was rewarded with a gritty performance and 1-0 win which took us back into the top four but then made sure none of us ran off with the view that all was forgiven and forgotten.
With dogs and horses of his own Moyes made affection for those as an animal lover very clear and condemned Zouma for the way the way he had treated his pet cat.
Asked whether he is upset with Zouma, Moyes replied: “Oh, 100%.”.
“It’s something we’re all disappointed with and something we can’t understand,” the Scot told BBC Match of the Day.
“He’ll learn from it [but] today I had to pick a football team that gave me the best chance of winning the game as manager of West Ham.
“I know how people feel, but I’m also a football manager here.
“My feeling was that Kurt has apologised and I understand a lot of people will not just be accepting of an apology. But to me he came out and [apologised] honestly and I had to do my job.”
Zouma, said in a statement earlier on Tuesday: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.”
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We have recently been made aware that this incident may have taken place in Essex and we are liaising with the RSPCA and urgent enquiries are ongoing.”
Moyes reiterated his stance in his post-match news conference, revealing that the impact of the distressing footage has been felt throughout the team.
“I have spoken to [Zouma] and we will move on as much as we can,” said the 58-year-old.
“We have all felt it through the team and the club. We are all of the same feeling that it is something we didn’t expect of Kurt. We didn’t see that in his character or from him in anything we’ve come across with him.
“We wanted to get this game out of the way and we understand nobody will be pleased about it. It is a poor situation.
“I am someone who cares a lot about my dogs and horses and all the people I am connected with.
“I think the club would rather deal with it all in time and they will let you know what the action is.”