Moyes hails players' attitude after first training sessions
WHUFC.com
David Moyes says he is pleased with the attitude shown by West Ham United
players in training and called on his squad to show they are good enough to
play at London Stadium in front of the Club's passionate fans. Speaking at
his first press conference as West Ham manager. Moyes said he had a 'point
to prove' and was confident of leading a strong team further up the table.
"I've got to say the players have been good," Moyes said. "Their attitude
has been excellent. They've worked hard the last couple of days and we will
keep them working hard. I think it's a really strong squad of players here.
There's a group of players here that, certainly for me, shouldn't be in the
position they are in – that's for sure. "It's been good because it's giving
me a chance to get to the training ground, work with the players. We've done
so. We've trained morning and afternoon today and we trained yesterday. It's
given me a chance to see. There's about eight or ten first team players and
the U23s have trained with us the last two days. They get a chance to see
the new manager and I get a chance to see some of the young players as well.
"Ultimately, it's results that count. There's so much at stake in the
Premier League."
He added: "I think I have a point to prove. I do. I think maybe I have to do
that and show it. Sometimes you have to repair things and maybe I've got a
little bit to repair. The 54-year-old indicated that it was an easy decision
to join the Hammers, and is eager to step out at London Stadium for the
first time as the Club's manager. He continued: "This was a really easy
decision to make. West Ham is a top club and it has a brilliant stadium. We
will grow into it and we will become much better. "I think they were telling
me over 50,000 season ticket holders. I hope the future is great for West
Ham and I think having a facility like this gives them a great chance of
doing well. "I'm taking over a great football club. It used to be one of the
most fearsome places to come and play your football. You ask any manager in
the Premier League – and probably in other leagues as well – and coming to
Upton Park back in the day was a really tough place to go. "I don't see why
it should be any different now. None at all. For me, that has to be the
purpose of how we start."
Moyes has highlighted West Ham's next match, away to Watford, as the object
of his immediate focus as the Scottish manager looks to start his Irons
tenure with a victory. "My biggest challenge right away is that I've got a
game coming up in ten days or so now and I have to get my team ready to play
in that. Obviously, some players are away and the games come thick and fast.
"I'm well aware that we've got a tough period coming up as well. I want to
try and get myself ready to put on a good show in those games."
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Arsenal Carabao Cup ticket details confirmed - adult tickets just £10
WHUFC.com
Ticketing details for West Ham United's Carabao Cup quarter-final at Arsenal
have been confirmed, with adult tickets priced at just £10.
West Ham travel to Emirates Stadium on Tuesday 19 December for the
pre-Christmas London derby cup tie, with prices of £10 for adults and £5
concessions agreed with the game falling so close to the festive season.
The Hammers' allocation of 5,040 tickets goes on sale to Bondholders from
Monday 13 November, and Season Ticket Holders with 18 or more Priority
Points on Wednesday 15 November Full sales dates can be found here.
The Hammers saw off Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round and will be
hoping for a second north London scalp of their Carabao Cup run, with the
prize of a semi-final place on offer to the winners.
Meanwhile, tickets for the Premier League trip to Manchester City on Sunday
3 December go on sale from Thursday 9 November. Click here for ticketing
details for this fixture.
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Moyes is a great choice for West Ham manager - Ray Stewart
WHUFC.com
West Ham United legend Ray Stewart has backed David Moyes to be a success at
London Stadium and says no one will work harder to get the team back on the
right track. The former Preston, Everton, Manchester United, Real Sociedad
and Sunderland boss became the 16th manager in the club's history yesterday
and immediately got to work in his bid to steer the Hammers away from danger
and in the right direction. Moyes met his new players and took his first
training session on Tuesday afternoon, and will follow that up with a double
session on Wednesday. Stewart, who made 432 appearances for the club and
established a reputation as a fearless, committed and brave defender,
believes his fellow Scotsman will bring similar qualities to the club. "I
think David Moyes is a great choice given what is needed at this time," he
says. "He is a leader. He proved that at Everton – he arrived there when
they were in dire straits and pulled them back to a situation where they
were a very strong outfit over a sustained period of time. "He is also a
very good coach and he will get the players organised, working extremely
hard and fighting for each other. Because a fighting team is a happy team.
And I think that is what people want to see above anything else. "And most
of all he will work as hard as he possibly can, harder than anyone else, to
get things right. Believe me, within a few days he will have educated
himself on the history of the club and everything that West Ham stands for.
"He is close to Sir Alex Ferguson, who had a fantastic friendship with John
Lyall and will I'm sure be pleased to see him take over at West Ham. "David
knows how important it is for this club to be successful and he will be
absolutely desperate to provide that success, there is no doubt about that."
As someone who experienced highs and lows during his illustrious 11-year
playing career with the Hammers – from FA Cup glory in 1980 and the
record-breaking 1985-86 campaign to relegation and the departure of the
legendary John Lyall in 1989 – Stewart knows only too well how important it
is to stay strong during times of uncertainty, and believes the key lies in
showing the spirit and togetherness that has always been a strength of the
claret and blue faithful. "I hope West Ham fans get behind him, because
their support will certainly give him a greater chance of success," says
Ray. "I think any genuine West Ham fan will want the new manager to do well.
Because it's not about personal opinions or individuals, it's about the good
of the club and "As a professional footballer, nothing beats confidence. If
you walk out on the pitch and feel that spirit, that togetherness and that
belief, then it can make such a huge difference. "The fans in the stadium
must understand how big a part they can play in helping the team. I just
urge all West Ham fans – whatever your personal opinions about individuals
or decisions – to get behind the manager and the team when they step out on
the pitch, because we all want the same thing – for West Ham to be
successful."
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Moyes press conference round-up: Style of play, Academy players and more
WHUFC.com
David Moyes met with the media for the first time since being appointed West
Ham United manager on Wednesday. Moyes discussed taking the role with the
Hammers, previous manager Slaven Bilic and what he has learned from the
squad so far during his training sessions…
On taking the West Ham manager job:
I got contacted just after the weekend. I was out in Qatar actually, doing
some TV. Was I interested? I said yes very quickly. That was how it started.
From there, a couple of quick meetings, and I find myself here just at the
start of the week. I think it's good for us both [West Ham and me]. It's
good for me because I'm back in, it's what I love doing, it's what I do. I
want to get back, I want to do well and I want the team to do well. I also
think it's good for West Ham as well – they've got a good manager! I'm
taking over a great football club. This was a really easy decision to make.
West Ham is a top club and has a brilliant stadium. We will grow into it and
we will become much better. I think they were telling me over 50,000 season
ticket holders. I hope the future is great for West Ham and I think having a
facility like this gives them a great chance of doing so.
On the West Ham United players:
I think it's a really strong squad of players here. There's a group of
players here that, certainly for me, shouldn't be in the position they are
in – that's for sure.
We've trained morning and afternoon today and we trained yesterday. It's
given me a chance to see them. There's about eight or ten first team players
and the U23s have trained with us the last two days. They get a chance to
see the new manager and I get a chance to see some of the young players as
well. I've got to say the players have been good. Their attitude has been
excellent. They've worked hard the last couple of days and we will keep them
working hard. We need the players to take responsibility. I've said a few
times that it can't always be the managers who are bad. The players have got
to show that they are good enough to play for the Club and are big enough to
play in front of this Stadium in front of a really passionate support.
His backroom staff:
I've not confirmed all my backroom team yet. I've been in talks with a
couple of people, Stuart [Pearce] being one of them. Hopefully, maybe by the
end of the week or the start of next week I'll know a bit more.
On his last job in the Premier League with Sunderland:
I started at Preston, which was very good. I was fortunate enough to get a
job at Everton – everybody knows about the ten years there. From that I got
a great opportunity to manage Manchester United. It's been well documented.
After that I wanted to try something different. I went to Spain and I had a
great year in Spain. I really enjoyed my time, a different culture and
different players. I came back and I made a poor choice in the club I chose.
I didn't do enough due diligence. I want to get back, I want to win, I want
to get back to show what I'm about, and West Ham is as good a club as any to
do that.
On whether he has a point to prove:
Do you know something? I think I do have a point to prove. I do. I think
maybe I have to do that and show it. Sometimes you have to repair things and
maybe I've got a little bit to repair.
On Slaven Bilic:
I have to say while I'm here as well – Slaven's a good friend of mine as
well. I think the work Slaven did was very good. I'm sad he's lost his job
but obviously it's good fortune for myself. I thought Slaven did a really
good job during his time. He's someone I've got big respect for and like. I
thank him for his efforts. I would never criticise any other manager. If
you step out of line, you won't play. If you don't run, you don't play. If
you don't do the training and you're not fit enough, you won't play.
On winning over supporters:
I'm a supporter as well and I have an opinion. I watch football all the time
and I've got an opinion. People are entitled to their opinions and I've got
no problems with that. So many people are involved in the sport. So many
people in the media, so many people behind the scenes, and everybody has an
opinion. You well know in the media that you won't please everybody all the
time. I think because there's so many avenues to voice your opinion, I don't
think you're going to get everybody on your side. The best thing to do is
win the games and make the supporters get behind the team by the results.
On the style West Ham fans can expect:
I've been a football supporter all my days and I love to watch football. I
love to see attacking play. I want to see goals. I want to see crosses and I
want it to be entertaining. But it's no good if you're shipping in goals
every week because you can't win the games. You have to start defensively.
All the best teams have the best defences. We have to start from there. We
have to try and get a few clean-sheets. We have to find what's best for us,
wherever it's four or three at the back, with the players that are available
to us. And I think we have to get ourselves bedded down. "I think we've got
enough good attacking players to cause teams problems and score goals. Let's
see if we can find a way to stop conceding goals. I remember Sam [Allardyce]
said: 'What is the West Ham way?' The thing to do is get a winning formula.
If I can win attacking and being entertaining then that's the way I want to
do it. Ultimately, we have to find a way of doing it first. I look forward
to reaching the standards that they expect here. I hope that's winning
football. When you've got winning football then you can talk about what
style it is and what we do. But first of all, let's get winning!
On the January transfer window:
I've been told if I think we need something in January [we can do
something]. But I'm not one to judge that at the moment. I might be in a
month or so but I'm not in a position to judge that just now.
On playing Academy players:
I'm just back from India and I watched the England U17s in India and I
thought they were terrific. There has to be a way forward for young players
to get into teams nowadays. Possibly the squads in the Premier League are a
bit over-cluttered and maybe ours is as well. Maybe we have to find ways and
room to get young players in.
On recent statistics about West Ham's running and sprinting:
I think if you're asking me where I'd put my best attribute, I'd hope it
would be on the grass. Working with the players. I hope we can see something
but we need the players to show that. Once they know that they are running
the least and sprinting the least they have to take a bit of responsibility
and stand up. We will give them the opportunity and the sessions. It will be
tough for them but I want them to enjoy it as well. We've got a lot of
organisation to do and we need to try and make sure we're not caught. Just
know that we are working them hard, trying to get the best out of them that
we can, and hopefully it will show.
If anything, I've seen a bit of franticness because I think they're anxious
to show the new manager what they can do. There will be no favours. They've
got to do the work. If they don't do the running they won't play. I'm in a
hurry and they will need to be as well. This is what I do. I want to be good
at it. The only way I can do that is to win and to do that I need good
players. I think I've got good players and I just think they need a bit of
confidence, a bit of belief, one or two tweaks and hopefully I can get a
positive looking team.
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MY TAKE ON THE MANAGER CHANGE
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:41PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @@kaz7289
Hi guys, Been a long while since I've wrote an article but wasn't exactly
inspired by anything to do so and didn't want to waste your time repeating
myself BUT now I feel was the right time to do so and hope you enjoy!
It's been a rough start to the season and although tough I think it was
clear we needed change, Slav lost the players, looked deflated and in truth
probably should have left at the end of last season. although he did give us
some great memories he also created some nightmares but he will always be
remembered for his final game at UP and for that I thank him and wish him
all the best in the future. Was David Moyes the right appointment? Probably
not with names available and certain long term ambitions made by the owners
but he knows what he's doing managing nearly 500 BPL games and in our
position with his experience at likes of Everton and Manchester United he
may be what we need but whatever we think he is here now and we should 100%
support him and sing his name like we did for Slav (even when we were down)
as we're more than a club, We're a family and like Slav we should respect
Moyes unless he gives us reason not to. I am baffled as to why fans are not
wanting to come to games because he has been appointed before even starting
and already got #MoyesOut trending, I thought we were better than that
considering Slav got his name sung even at our lowest points. He wants to
join, has something to prove and forgetting views on twitter I listen to
people that have worked with him in the past and know him well who can't
sing his praises high enough as a motivator, trainer and person. It might
sound like I'm even trying to convince myself that he is the right man and
yes he wasn't very high up on my list of targets but you have to take the
positives and at least give him the chance to fail unlike some who already
want his head! The club, players and manager need our support more than ever
now so this my plea to every West Ham fan, Get behind the team and the
manager after this international break because I know I will and am excited
to watch us for the first time in a while!
What can we expect from Moyes? I think we will get a man hungry to prove
doubters wrong, a fresh face to motivate the players, Someone who will
demand respect, organise the team, work them hard in training and get the
players back to basics. I do believe in the quality of our players and these
have been things we have severely lacked under Slav and need IMO. I'd like
to see youth be given a go but in our situation and his current situation I
do think it will be low on his agenda even more so going by his history with
youth (long term it 100% has to be looked into and improved). Although I
welcome Moyes and hope he proves the doubters wrong, No matter how well he
does I do still see him as a short term option if the boards "targets" are
to be met but do hope he can build the foundations for us to build upon for
what we were "promised".
Thanks for reading hammers, Hope you've listened and really get behind the
team and manager for the rest of the season making away games feel like home
and making our home a fortress because nothing will change certain decisions
now and our club needs us more than ever now, Things could get much worst
and have been even worst in the past but we have never stopped supporting
West Ham because it's in our blood and we have some of the most dedicated
loyal fan base in the world!
@kaz7289
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NEW YORK GIANTS AND WEST HAM UNITED COMPARISONS
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:23PM
TheWestHaMWay.co.uk
Written by Michael Fish
Ever since getting into a relationship a New Yorker in 2011, I naturally
forced her to struggle through West Ham United games with it. So when she
asked me if I wanted to watch a New York Giants (NFL or American Football
for those who don't know), how could I say no? It was at that point that I
became a Giants fan, plus going back and forth from Essex to New York, they
were now my local team so to say. However, as the years past and I grew to
understand the game more, I realised that the two teams had such strong
similarities that it was essentially destiny for me to support the Giants…
and be incredibly miserable in doing so.
If you're reading this article, you're probably a West Ham United fan, and
have been for several years. You've been through the the incredible
rollercoaster of emotions many times over. You've probably questioned why
you love the team that you love, maybe even questioned your very sanity.
Well, it is because of all of those reasons and many more that I argue that
you're a natural fit to be a New York Giants fan.
The Coaches
Slaven Bilic and Ben McAdoo
When I started writing this article, Slaven Bilic and Ben McAdoo were at the
helm of West Ham United and the New York Giants respectfully. Now, the fact
that I have to say that for both men is a great comparison right there. West
Ham have made a horrendous start to the 2017-2018 Premier League season, and
the New York Giants are not to be outdone. After the first 8 games of the
NFL season, the Giants have managed just 1 victory and an amazing 7 defeats.
Starting to get the picture? Most recently West Ham suffered a 4-1 defeat to
Liverpool, and the New York Giants had their backsides handed to them by the
Los Angeles Rams 51-17!
For that reason, both Bilic and McAdoo have become almost become vilified by
the fan base, with an invisible countdown clock hovering above their head as
to when the inevitable will happen, and their services are no longer
required. Since then, the West Ham United board have decided to "part ways"
with Bilic, which seemingly puts them one step ahead of "Big Blue".
The next opponent for the Giants are the San Francisco 49ers, who have
themselves had somehow a worse start to the season. They are currently
without a win. Lose to them, and surely Ben McAdoo will be joining Slaven
Bilic in the line at the job centre.
The Defense
What defense? It will come to the surprise of no West Ham fan to discover
that no other team has conceded more goals in the Premier League this season
than West Ham. If our defense was a bucket, the hole in the bottom would be
so big that it'd actually more fair to describe it was a tube. And guess
what? If you want to support the New York Giants, they won't let you down in
this aspect of the game either.
As previously mentioned, the New York Giants defense just allowed another
team to score 51 points against them. 51! If you tried to compare that to a
Premier League game, imagine how you'd feel if West Ham had lost 7-1 against
Liverpool rather than the 4-1 scoreline which in comparison actually doesn't
sound so bad. When you start watching a game, you can't help but wonder not
if, but how many the opposition will score. Am I talking about West Ham or
the Giants? Who could tell?
The Offense
What offense? As it stands right now, the New York Giants has the 2nd worst
offense in the NFL, and that's only because the team with the worst offense
has one game in hand over us. Even if the New York Giants defensive unit
plays their part, when it's the turn of the offensive line to have a go, you
struggle to get excited about our options going forward, and you pretty much
just wait for the other team to get the ball back. Sound familiar?
The Long Standing Captain
Mark Noble and Eli Manning
Mark Noble started his professional career at West Ham in 2004 and has never
played for another team (aside from the odd loan spell early on). He gained
popularity with the West Ham fans due to the shifts he'd put in, the effort
and passion he showed the team. He would go on to be honoured by being given
the captains armband which he rightfully earned. However over the past
couple of seasons he seems to be missing a step or two. His heart is still
in it, maybe even more so than ever, but his body is slowly starting to give
up with fans suggesting he needs to step aside and let someone else take his
place.
Eli Manning started his professional career at the New York Giants in 2004
and has never played for another team. He gained popularity with the New
York Giants fans due to the shifts he'd put in, the effort and passion he
showed the team. He would go on to be honoured by being given the captains
armband which he rightfully earned. However over the past couple of seasons
he seems to be missing a step or two. His heart is still in it, maybe even
more so than ever, but his body is slowly starting to give up with fans
suggesting he needs to step aside and let someone else take his place.
See what I did there?
The Star player. Will he stay or go?
Even as bad as West Ham have been playing, there have been a few bright
sparks, one of which is a young man named Manuel Lanzini. Whenever he's on
the pitch he brings an energy to the team that is missing whenever he's not
around. He can pull out some magic from his pocket when it's most needed,
such as that beauty of a goal against Liverpool which was unfortunately
ruined by conceding a goal before the celebratory bubbles had a chance to
fade. The boy is a star! And recently many fans have started to worry that
with the team playing as bad as they are, will he want to leave? Will he
want to play for a winning team?
Enter Odell Beckham Jr. He is without a doubt the best player that the New
York Giants has on it's offensive line. When he's playing, it's a matter of
"get the ball to Odell!" and if you get the ball to him, he'll more often
than not make something special happen and give you that bit of hope you've
been missing. However, with Lanzini, people worry that he may want to leave
the team and will soon be traded away from the Giants. As with Lanzini, with
the current way both teams are performing, losing their star player would be
a huge hit and would only mean even worse things to come.
Now, I could go on and on with the comparisons. How on paper both sides
should be performing a lot better than they are, how injuries constantly
hinder our progression, but I think I've made my case already.
After reading this article, you're probably wondering why the hell I'm still
a New York Giants fan. Well, the answer is simple. The same reason I'm still
a West Ham fan. I moved to New Jersey in November 2016, and so the Giants
are now my local team. Now they're my team, that's it, decision made for
life.
So if you've ever wanted to get into the NFL, or need to pick a side, I say
look no further. Because for better or for worse, if I had to describe the
New York Giant's style of play, i'd say that they play the West Ham way.
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NOT MY CHOICE BUT DAVID MOYES COULD YET PROVE TO BE A SHREWD APPOINTMENT
AUTHOR: EXWHUEMPLOYEE. PUBLISHED: 8 NOVEMBER 2017 AT 10:07PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Written by @farehamhammer
No I didn't think Slaven Bilic would be sacked. I did not think that Gold
and Sullivan, would pay the three million in compensation that it would take
to get rid of Bilic and his staff. So I don't know what shocked me most, the
sacking of Bilic or the appointment of Moyes! So why Moyes? A number of
factors really. Its cloud 9 and cuckoo land stuff, to think that a top
manager would want to come to a team that is languishing 18th in the Premier
League and are in a relegation dog fight. You can offer them all the money
in the world, but they won't come if they think that we could go down, that
would mean relegation on their CV. They would have seen the shambles that
has been West Ham this season and said pass, I'm not a miracle worker. Then
you get to finances of it all. It is easy to say appoint so and so and give
him a substantial war chest. Two problems with that though, the January
transfer market is notoriously difficult to deal in. Clubs don't want to
sell their best players mid-season, as a result the market is hugely
inflated. Secondly it is more difficult to shift unwanted players in January
due to the time limit. If a Club is not careful and desperation sets in, by
the end of January you can have a bloated squad and a substantial increase
in your wage bill.
It's clear that that The Club believe, that we have a talented squad and
don't want to dismantle it, with the intention of adding a bit more depth in
the summer. The Club could have gone for Sean Dyche or Eddie Howe, both who
have done well at Burnley and Bournemouth respectively. However that would
have been a huge risk. As promising as both Howe and Dyche are they have
limited experience. Believe you me it's a big job to turn The Club's
fortunes around, experience is going to be needed! I was hoping that The
Club would go all out to land Brendan Rodgers! So like so many I was hugely
deflated, when The Club announced, David William Moyes, as the 16th manager
of West Ham United. BUT…. It may yet be a shrewd move! Let's get one thing
straight, David Moyes IS a good manager. You don't manage to keep a Club
like Everton up around sixth spot, for the best part of a decade if you are
a sh*t manager. Doing so on virtual peanuts. Christ on a bike! He beat us
home and away at will! His teams were always well organised. A defensive
manager and long ball manager? At times yes, but his teams could also play
attractive football on the deck.
People point to his record since leaving Goodison Park and say he is a
has-been. It says something of the man's standing in the game, that Sir Alex
Ferguson, recommended Moyes to succeed him. So what if it never worked out
at Old Trafford. Whoever succeeded Ferguson was always going to be up
against it. Moyes inherited an ageing squad of prima donna's so set in their
ways, they went whinging to the media, complaining that Moyes took "chips
off the canteen menu". Bless em! He certainly was not backed as much as Van
Gaal and Mourinho have been in the transfer window. His last two jobs were
at Real Sociedad and Sunderland, were almost like someone having just broke
up from a long term relationship, and getting into relationships on the
rebound. It is worth mentioning that he did manage to beat Barcelona while
at Real Sociedad, during his ten month tenure at the Spanish Club. The Owner
of Real Sociedad was a rather trigger happy man, firing four managers in
fifteen months! As for Sunderland I don't think anyone could have kept them
up.
In many ways David Moyes appointment reminds me of when Sam Allardyce
arrived at The Club. Like Moyes, Sam had a point to prove having been sacked
at both Newcastle and Blackburn. His reputation in the game was restored due
to his spell at The Boleyn. Whether one likes it or not, Sam Allardyce with
the help of Kevin Nolan, hurled the Club up by the proverbial jockstraps
when he arrived. We had just been relegated and were out for the count. YES
the football was unquestionably dire at times (not always) but Sam
Allardyce, certainly delivered on his remit of getting The Club back to The
Premier League and establishing it as a Premier League outfit. In the
unforgiving world of football management, David Moyes, will not get too many
chances if he fails at The London Stadium. However a sticker to detail like
David Moyes, will have come to conclusion that we have a talented squad and
with a good crop of youngsters coming through. He will also have inside
knowledge of the Club, thanks to his links with Tony Henry our recruitment
officer, who worked with him at Everton. With a lot of hard work on the
training ground, not only will we turn things around but indeed flourish.
The golfing great Jack Nicklaus, once said, "The harder I practice, the
luckier I get". Under Slaven Bilic sadly that was obviously not the case.
It's going to be a different world under Sergeant Major Moyes that is for
sure. The kids? At Everton Moyes played them, if they were good enough 16,
17 it didn't matter. Tony Martinez? Moyes tried to sign him at loan while at
Sunderland. David William Moyes was not my choice but he as manager of West
Ham, but he has been appointed and has my full support. I just have a sneaky
suspicion that David Moyes may just be what the Doctor ordered. West Ham
have been a Club at war, recently none more than on twitter, abuse and
counter abuse. Some of the abuse hurled at Sullivan's boys, David and Jack
has been mean vile and uncalled for. Any person with any decency would say
it is not right. West Ham have always stood for decency and we STILL DO!!
However social media has turned us into some sort of wild animal and believe
me I'm no different. Time to leave the kids alone. Time to heal, time to
dream.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes: West Ham's new manager says he has a 'point to prove'
BBC.co.uk
West Ham boss David Moyes says he has a "point to prove" as he aims to
"repair" his reputation at his new club. The former Everton and Manchester
United manager has replaced Slaven Bilic, who was sacked on Monday with the
Hammers in the relegation zone. Moyes, 54, has been out of work since May,
when he resigned as Sunderland boss after the club's relegation to the
Championship. "It is good for West Ham, they are getting a good manager," he
said. Moyes, who started his managerial career at Preston North End, was
voted LMA Manager of the Year three times while at Everton from 2002 to 2013
- an 11-year spell during which they finished in the top eight nine times.
He signed a six-year contract when he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as
Manchester United boss in 2013 but was sacked 10 months into the deal. Moyes
then went to Spain to manage Real Sociedad but was dismissed in November
2015 after a year in charge. He took over at Sunderland in July 2016 but
quit in May 2017 after the Blacks Cats finished bottom of the Premier
League. "I do have a point to prove. Sometimes you have to repair things and
I have a little bit to repair," said Moyes, who has a contract until the end
of the season with the east London club. "It's good for me, I'm back in and
it's what I love doing. I want to do well and want the team to do well."
'My first job is to win'
West Ham's forthcoming fixtures
19 November: Watford (a); 24 November: Leicester City (h); 29 November:
Everton (a)
3 December: Manchester City (a); 9 December: Chelsea (h); 13 December:
Arsenal (a)
The Hammers are 18th, having won just two Premier League matches this
season. They spent a reported £42m on players in the summer including
forward Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City for a club record £20m and former
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen for £16m.
Having lost their first three games, West Ham have taken just nine points
from 11 league matches, conceding 23 goals. Following a trip to Watford on
19 November, West Ham host Leicester City and go to Everton, before a
difficult run in December in which they face league leaders Manchester City,
champions Chelsea and Arsenal. Later in the month, the Hammers travel to
face the Gunners in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. "My ambition is short
term. I have to win the games," said Moyes. "I want the football to be
entertaining. But I want to start defensively. We have to start there and
get some clean sheets. "First it's about winning football games, then it's
about the style. "There's a really strong squad of players here. They
certainly shouldn't be in the position they are in."
Hammers' home troubles
Since moving to London Stadium at the beginning of the 2016-17 season, West
Ham have the third-worst home record in the Premier League. They have
conceded the second-highest number of goals (41) in the league, with only
Swansea (44) having conceded more - but the Hammers have the worse goal
difference in the top flight with -16.
Moyes on Sunderland and Brady
Moyes says he made a "poor choice" by taking over Sunderland, a club that
had flirted with relegation for many seasons and where he had limited funds
to spend.
"I didn't do enough due diligence on Sunderland," the former Celtic defender
added. "Preston was very good, then everyone knows about Everton "I got the
chance at Manchester United, which is well documented. I had a great time in
Spain. I came back and made a poor choice in the club I chose."
Moyes also addressed his relationship with West Ham vice-chairman Lady
Karren Brady. In March while at Sunderland, Moyes received a Football
Association charge for improper conduct and a £30,000 fine for telling BBC
reporter Vicki Sparks she might "get a slap". Writing in her Sun column in
April, Brady criticised Moyes, saying: "The threat to give someone a slap,
no matter how you look at it, is aggressive. It is not banter. And it is not
OK." "Karren and I spoke on phone," said Moyes at Wednesday's news
conference. "I had a meeting with her. [We've] not spoken about it. I made a
mistake. I apologised for that."
Analysis
BBC Sport's Simon Stone
The break David Moyes has had from the game since leaving Sunderland at the
end of last season has had a positive effect on the Scot, at least visually.
He also spoke confidently. Typically, he did not shy away from questions,
although unlike his latter days at Manchester United, when he looked haunted
and daunted by the situation he found himself in, he handled them with
certainty. The elephant in the room was the 'slap' comment to Match of the
Day interviewer Vicki Sparkes. They were brought up by a female journalist,
and followed up by another.
West Ham vice-chairman Lady Karren Brady, who was critical at the time, was
mentioned. Had Moyes spoken to her? Was the comment mentioned? Straight
back, Moyes responded immediately. "Yes. No." The insinuation was that
Brady's comments were not quite as they had been portrayed but there was no
clarification on what they actually were. Moyes, evidently, regards it as
history. He said he made a mistake and apologised. In his mind at least, it
is time to move on.
If the world had turned out differently, Moyes would now be in the fifth
year of his six-year contract at Manchester United. But it didn't. At Old
Trafford, inside and out, he is regarded with ridicule. Since then he has
failed at Real Sociedad and failed at Sunderland. His 11 years at Everton
seem such a long time ago. As he looked out at his audience, and the
darkening London skyline to his left, Moyes admitted something on which the
entire crux of his new - and maybe last - Premier League job will hinge. "I
do have a point to prove," he admitted. "Maybe I do have a little bit to
repair."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes: 'I'm taking over a great football club'
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
New Hammers boss David Moyes says that he is looking forward to starting
work at West Ham. The club's new manager was appointed yesterday and got
straight down to work with his first training session at Rush Green -
without the assistance of any coaches bar goalkeeping specialist, Chris
Woods. And speaking in his first press conference today, the 54-year-old
Scot admitted that he jumped at the chance to succeed Slaven Bilic. "I got
contacted just after the weekend," he said. "I was out in Qatar, doing some
TV. 'Was interested', [I was asked]? "I said 'yes' very quickly and that
was how it sort of started. From there, a couple of quick meetings and I
find myself here at the start of the week. "It's good for us both. It's
good for me because I'm back in, it's what I love doing and it's what I do.
I also think it's good for West Ham as well, I think they've got a good
manager!"
Moyes, who signed a short-term contract lasting until the end of the current
season also insisted that the terms would not be a cause for concern - as it
encouraged him to hit the ground running in order to earn an extended deal.
"Managers aren't having long-term contracts now and I think it'll be
something that we come to see more in the future," suggested. "You can see
the turnover of managers at the moment , I think in the future it'll be
moreso that managers are only signing one year contracts, for example. "If
I'd have taken West Ham over at the start of the season, I'd have been
saying 'let's do a year at a time'. As it is I've taken ove a couple of
months into the season and I'm happy to go to the end of the season. "It
gives me a chance to have a look at the East End of London, work at the club
here and it also gives the Board and supporters the change to see David
Moyes working."
Moyes also revealed that one of his first tasks would be to tray and
recreate the spirit of Upton Park in Stratford, where a positive atmosphere
has been distinctly lacking since West Ham moved to the OS. "I'm taking over
a great football club - it used to be one of the most fearsome places to
come and play football," he added. "You ask any manager in the Premier
League - coming to Upton Park back in the day was a really tough place to
go. "I don't see why it should be any different now - none at all. For me,
that has to be the purpose of how we start."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes looking forward to 'good relationship' with Brady
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Moyes says that he and Karren Brady will get on just fine, despite the
fact that he was fined £30,000 by the FA last year for misogynistic comments
made towards a female reporter. Moyes, who was unveiled as West Ham's new
manager yesterday was asked during his inaugural press conference whether
there would be any issues with Brady, who previously condemned the club's
new manager in a newspaper article regarding the incident. However the
54-year-old brushed off any concerns, whilst insisting that the two had
already spoken without mentioning the incident. "It was Karren who I spoke
to on the phone and it was Karren who I had a meeting with," said Moyes. "I
think if you read Karren's piece, which I have done, I don't think it's
quite as clear as that. "I've said many times that I made a mistake - I
apologised for the mistake right away - and as you can see, we talk with
journalistrs like this all the time and sometimes, you know, it can go the
wrong way. But I apologised for that at the time. "She didn't discuss it at
all for as you said, it was written six months ago. I don't think there was
any need to do that and I've had two or three conversations with Karren that
have been very good. "I've actually quite enjoyed listenning to her, so.
hopefully we can have a good relationship."
Whilst co-chairman David Sullivan and David Gold have both released
statements welcoming Moyes to the club, vice chair Brady is yet to issue a
public response to his unveiling.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bilic's 'fight had gone', says Sullivan
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 8th November 2017
By: Staff Writer
David Sullivan has defended his decision to break a policy of not firing
managers during the season by insisting that Slaven Bilic had lost interest
in his job and was exhausted. Bilic was officially fired by Sullivan's
fellow Board member Karren Brady on Monday morning, eight months shy of the
end of his three-year contract that the club had made quite clear they had
no interest in renewing. And Sullivan, responding in the wake of heavy
criticism from West Ham supporters over the club's perceived indecision
regarding the Croat's position insisted that he was left with no choice but
to dismiss Bilic due to his laissez faire attitude. "Slaven is a good man,
but he needs a rest to recharge," Sullivan told The Sun's Neil Ashton."We
had to make a change. His eyes had gone - and the fight had gone. "When I
told him, it was almost a relief. It had run its course. He wants to be
liked, but we need to win football matches. I probably should have made the
change in the summer, but we decided to wait. Slaven is worn out."
Addressing criticism regarding the Board's decision to refuse Bilic
permission to sign William Carvalho from Sporting during the transfer
window, Sullivan claimed that the 49-year-old had already been sufficiently
backed during the summer. "I don't veto signings unless we cannot afford
them," he added. "We have spent big money on players the manager wanted. We
paid £20million for Andre Ayew, £20m for Arnautovic. This is huge money,
then we have to pay their wages. "We brought in Simone Zaza and he could not
score a goal. He's gone to Valencia and now he's one of the leading scorers
in the league."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager David Moyes says he has a point to prove
Last Updated: 08/11/17 5:10pm
SSN
David Moyes wants to employ an entertaining, attacking style of football at
West Ham and warned the players of the standards he expects. David Moyes
says he has "a point to prove" at West Ham and confirmed he is in talks with
Stuart Pearce over joining his backroom team. Moyes, who had been out of
work since resigning from Sunderland following their relegation last season,
replaced Slaven Bilic as Hammers boss after agreeing a six-month deal. "I
think I do have a point to prove - sometimes you have to repair things and
maybe I've a little bit to repair," said Moyes, whose primary focus is on
shoring up a Hammers defence that has conceded 23 goals in 11 Premier League
games. "I've been a football supporter all my days and I love to see
attacking play and goals. I want it to be entertaining but that's no good if
you're shipping in goals every week because you can't win the games. You
have to start defensively. "All the best teams have the best defences. We
have to start from there, try and get a few clean sheets, find out whether
three or four at the back is best for us with the players available, and get
ourselves bedded down. "I think we have enough good attacking players to
cause teams problems and score goals. Let's see if we can find a way to stop
conceding goals." Moyes says both he and the West Ham board are "more than
comfortable" with the short-term deal and believes such contracts will
become commonplace in the future. "You can see the turnover of managers at
the moment," he said. "In the future I think managers will only be signing
one-year contracts. "If I had taken over West Ham at the start of the
season, I'd have said, 'let's do one year at a time'. As it is I'm taking
over a couple of months into the season and I'm happy to go to the end of
it. "It gives me a chance to look at the east end of London, to work at the
club, and it also gives the supporters and board a chance to see David Moyes
working."
Moyes acknowledged some sections of the West Ham support have met his
appointment with negativity, but hopes he can win them over. "I'll do
everything I possibly can to get West Ham as far up the table as we can, to
try and give them the best team possible," he said. "We need the players to
take responsibility as well. It can't always be the managers who are bad.
"The players have got to show they're good enough to play for the club, that
they're big enough to play in this stadium and in front of a really
passionate support."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moyes news conference recap
A recap of David Moyes' first news conference as West Ham manager.
SSN
17:24
MOYES 'COMFORTABLE' WITH SHORT-TERM DEAL
New West Ham manager David Moyes says he is "comfortable" with his six-month
contract at the club and believes they'll soon increase in popularity.
17:11
MOYES: LET'S FIND A WINNING FORMULA
David Moyes wants to employ an entertaining, attacking style of football at
West Ham and warned the players of the standards he expects.
17:01
MOYES IN TALKS WITH PEARCE
Moyes closes out his first news conference as West Ham manager by confirming
he is in talks with Stuart Pearce over joining his backroom staff and an
announcement will be made in the next seven days.
16:59
'I'M ON A MISSION IN MY OWN HEAD'
The 54-year old admits he's on a "mission" at West Ham and will not accept
any underperforming from his players... "I can only tell you I'm here, I'm
on a job and I'm on a mission in my own head. If they step out of line they
won't play, if they don't run they won't play. If they don't do the training
and are not fit enough, they won't play."
16:54
MOYES: I'M IN A HURRY
Moyes says no first-team players will be handed any easy touches as he
starts his spell at London Stadium, with the Scotsman keen to hit the ground
running...
"I saw a little bit of franctiveness [from first training session] because I
think they're anxious to show the new manager what they can do. But there
will be no favour. "They must get on with it. If they don't do their
running they won't play. Because I'm in a hurry and I will be too."
16:48
'I WANTED A BIG CHALLENGE'
The 54-year old acknowledges there were other vacancies in football which he
could have targeted, including Scotland and Everton, but says he was drawn
to West Ham because of the challenge ahead... "I wanted a big challenge and
I've been fortunate enough to manage at top clubs, and West Ham is a top
club. I want to be a success. I want everybody to enjoy this period."
16:43
MOYES ON JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
Moyes insists no early targets have been set for the January transfer
window, while he hinted as possibly giving a number of West Ham's young
stars an opportunity in the first-team...
"I've just come back from India and watched the England Under-17's and I
thought they were terrific. I think there has to be a way forward for young
players to get into teams. And possibly the squads in the Premier League are
now over-cluttered and maybe ours could be as well.
"So maybe we have to find ways and room to get young players in. But I've
been told if we think we need something in January, but I'm not one to judge
that at the moment."
16:39
MOYES HOPES TO WIN OVER FANS
Moyes acknowledges some sections of the West Ham support have met his
appointment with negativity, though he hopes his results as manager will win
them over...
"I said when you come to places now because there are so many avenues to
voice your opinions, I don't think you're going to get everybody on your
side.
"The best thing to do is win the games, make the supporters get behind the
team by the results. We need the players to perform, they need to stand up
as well."
16:32
MOYES' MESSAGE TO WEST HAM FANS
Moyes has assured West Ham fans he will do all he can to ensure "winning
football" at the club...
"I'll do everything I possibly can to get West Ham as far up the table as we
can, to try and give them the best team possible.
"But we need the players to take responsibility as well. It can't always be
the managers who are bad.
"The players have got to show they're good enough to play for the club, that
they're big enough to play in this stadium and in front of a really
passionate support."
16:30
MOYES WANTS 'ENTERTAINING' FOOTBALL
West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League and have conceded the most goals of
all team's this season, and Moyes admits it must be "defence first" while
trying to play eye-catching football...
"I've been a football supporter all my days and I love to see attacking play
and goals. I want it to be entertaining. But that's no good if you're
shipping in goals every week because you can't win the games. You have to
start defensively.
"All the best teams have the best defences. We have to start from there, try
and get a few clean sheets, find out whether three or four at the back is
best for us with the players available, and get ourselves bedded down.
"I think we have enough good attacking players to cause teams problems and
score goals. Let's see if we can find a way to stop conceding goals."
16:26
MOYES: I HAVE A POINT TO PROVE
Following previous managerial roles at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and
Sunderland, Moyes believes he has to prove with worth once more...
"I think I do have a point to prove, yes. Sometimes you have to repair
things and maybe I've a little bit to repair."
16:25
MOYES RESPECTS WORK OF FORMER BOSS BILIC
New West Ham manager admits he was "sad" to see Bilic sacked as Hammers
boss...
"I have to say this while I'm here. Slaven's a good friend of mine, and I
think the work Slaven's done was very good. I've got to say I'm sad that he
lost the job but obviously it's good fortune for myself."
16:22
MOYES HIGHLIGHTS STRONG SQUAD
Moyes says he is inheriting a strong group of players at West Ham and is
looking forward to get to work with them...
"I think there's a really strong squad of players here. There's a group of
players here who certainly shouldn't be in the situation they are in."
16:18
'I'M COMFORTABLE WITH SIX-MONTHS CONTRACT'
West Ham appointed Moyes on a six-month deal until the end of the season,
but the Scotsman believes such contracts are the future for football
managers...
"I'm more than comfortable and so are they. Manager now aren't having
long-term contracts and I think it'll be something we see more of in the
future.
"You can see the turnover of managers at the moment. In the future I think
managers will only be signing one-year contracts.
"If I had taken over West Ham at the start of the season, I'd have said,
'let's do one year at a time'.
"As it is I'm taking over a couple of months into the season and I'm happy
to go to the end of it. It gives me a chance to look at the east end of
London, to work at the club, and it also gives the supporters and board a
chance to see David Moyes working."
16:16
MOYES: APPOINTMENT GOOD FOR BOTH PARTIES
The 54-year old insists he is glad to be back in management and feels the
appointment suits all parties...
"I think it's good for us both. Well good for me because I'm back in and
it's what I love doing. I want to get back and want to do well. I also think
it's good for West Ham as well because I think they've got a good manager."
16:12
'I SAID YES VERY QUICKLY'
Moyes says his appointment as new West Ham manager was a quick process
following the departure of Slaven Bilic...
"I was contacted just after the weekend. Was there interest? I said yes very
quickly. After that, there were a few quick meetings and here we are."
16:09
MOYES IS HERE
David Moyes has arrived for his first news conference as West Ham manager.
Stay tuned for updates...
15:51
'WHY CAN'T WE WIN ANYTHING?'
Tony Cottee says West Ham fans are frustrated about the club's situation.
15:34
STAGE IS SET
We're less than 30 minutes away from hearing from West Ham's new manager
David Moyes at London Stadium for the very first time.
We will of course bring you live updates as soon as he arrives!
expanded thumbnail
15:22
MOYES TO FACE CAMERAS
Our reporter takes a sneak peek inside David Moyes' office before the new
West Ham manager arrives for his first press conference at London Stadium.
15:03
Merson: Moyes thick-skinned
Paul Merson says one of the reasons West Ham appointed David Moyes as
manager is because he is 'thick-skinned'.
14:51
STEP INTO MOYES' OFFICE
Our reporter Alan Myers has grabbed a cuppa as he awaits David Moyes'
arrival.
The manager's first press conference as West Ham boss is just over an hour
away!
expanded thumbnail
14:34
LAST CHANCE FOR MOYES?
Can David Moyes take his chance at West Ham?
It may be the last one he gets at this level, unless he can offer up a
reminder of his qualities as a manager...
Read our feature RIGHT HERE.
expanded thumbnail
14:23
DAY TWO ON THE JOB
David Moyes took his second West Ham training session today.
The manager will take his first press conference as Hammers boss at 4pm!
14:18
'WEST HAM NEED ORGANISING'
Tony Gale says David Moyes must look to add 'organisation and discipline' to
the West Ham side, following his appointment as manager.
14:11
ALL SET FOR MOYES CONFERENCE
Our reporter Alan Myers is ready for David Moyes' arrival at London Stadium!
Hear all he has to say right here, when the new Hammers boss faces the
cameras in less than two hours!
expanded thumbnail
14:06
CAMERAS POISED AT LONDON STADIUM
Our reporter and cameras and all set for David Moyes' first press conference
as West Ham manager!
expanded thumbnail
13:28
WELCOME
Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog, as David Moyes prepares to face
the media for the first time since being named West Ham manager.
The club named Moyes as successor to the sacked Slaven Bilic on a six-month
contract on Tuesday.
He faces his first press conference as Hammers boss at 4pm.
We'll be building up to that with all the very latest on his appointment and
reaction to it, right here!
So sit back, grab a cuppa and enjoy our blog!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
IT WAS A VERY LONG TIME COMING, ....
By S J Chandos 8 Nov 2017 at 08:00
WTID
but the axe has finally fell on Slaven Bilic's West Ham managerial regime. I
think that most Hammers fans were willing Bilic to recover from the poor
start to the season and take the side back up the PL table. Alas, it was not
to be and now we face the consequences of that failure, taking a huge gamble
on the ability of David Moyes to recapture the managerial competence of his
Everton years, rather then re-enact the shambles of his season long tenure
at Sunderland. Although the Spurs cup result offered a brief hope that Bilic
could steer the ship to safety, the abject nature of the Liverpool
capitulation made his exit inevitable. And in the end, the board's decision
was almost a relief, because neither Bilic nor West Ham United could afford
to let the situation continue. Bilic is a man of integrity and honesty (rare
qualities in modern football) and we all felt his pain as he cut a powerless
and defeated figure on the touchline as his side floundered at home against
Brighton and Liverpool. Similarly, we could only sympathise as his players
badly let him down in allowing a 97th minute equaliser against Crystal
Palace at Selhurst Park.
Sure, Bilic was not perfect, and he could be said to have been culpable with
some of his tactical decisions, but the players themselves must also take
their share of the blame. Hammers fans know when players are not applying
themselves 100% and that is what arguably underpins the recent fan walk outs
at the London Stadium. I have always believed that you stay until the final
whistle and show your solidarity with the team, whether in victory or cruel
defeat (and then you celebrate or moan on the way out), but more recent
generations of fans do not seem to subscribe to those principles. They show
their anger and protest via an early exit. I do not agree with it, but they
pay their money and they are entitled to show their displeasure in that way
if they choose. It certainly does not sit well that astronautically paid,
and under-performing, players should question fan loyalty for walking out
early. The truth is that they would not do it if the team was delivering on
the pitch, something that they have blatantly failed to do for most of this
season. In short, the management and players have a responsibility to give
the fans something to cheer. I think Bilic understood that (he never took
fan discontent badly), but some of his pampered ex-players obviously do not!
Anyway, the Bilic regime is now history and we face the future with Mr Moyes
at the managerial helm. Like many of you, I have serious reservations about
this appointment, but we are, where we are and nothing is going to change
that. We all knew that the options for a change of manager (during the
season) were limited and that the board would struggle to recruit a top line
manager. The board certainly knew that, but the worsening situation with
Bilic backed them in to a corner and they were forced to gamble with one of
the few viable options available to them. They are undoubtedly praying that
the Sunderland episode was an aberration in his career and that Moyes is
hungry to restore his former reputation at West Ham. If that happens then it
will be seen as a good appointment and the board will be feted for their
vision and foresight. If the other scenario prevails they will be castigated
and we will be cast in to the disastrous bear pit that is Championship
football. That latter possibility is just unthinkable for the club and we
must hope that Moyes does come good.
David Moyes has certainly started well, saying all the right things to get
the fans on board. Namely, about West Ham's 'big club' status and his desire
to play attractive and attacking football. He has obviously been briefed and
it shows that the club have learnt from some of the unfortunate statements
made by Sam Allardyce while he was at the club. If you want a manager to
succeed at West Ham, you must get the fans onside. Allardyce never did that
and the simmering antagonism always poisoned the relationship between the
manager and the supporters. Similarly, Moyes has also helped created early
positivity with the way that he has hit the ground running on the training
pitches. It projects the image of an hungry and motivated manager, getting
down to business at the earliest opportunity. No doubt the back room
appointments will soon follow and there is bound to be an ex-Hammers star or
two included in the new coaching team. Or, rather, there will be if they
want to continue in a positive vein. Hammers fans always respond to 'one of
their own' and the club should not under-estimate the importance of that
factor. Finally, Moyes has to manage relations with the squad very
skilfully, trying to get players on side and motivated and avoiding any
damaging early spats/fall outs with stars like Hernandez. There is prior
history there from their Manchester United days, but hopefully it will be
case of putting that behind them and starting with a clean slate at West
Ham. He will also need to get players like Antonio, Reid, Noble and
Arnautovic playing to their true abilities. Arnautovic, in particular, will
be a challenge for Moyes' man management and motivational skills. However,
get the Austrian back to his best and West Ham will have a very dangerous
player. I guess the skill is in knowing how to get the best out of different
players, the 'rocket' as opposed to the 'arm around the shoulder.' Different
personalities respond to different strategies and Moyes will need to get
that right.
Creating some early positivity around the appointment was vital. However, it
ultimately all comes down to improvements on the pitch and results. If Moyes
is going to succeed he needs to also 'hit the ground running' on the pitch.
In the first match at Watford, we need to see greater organisation,
defensive resilience and team cohesion. In short, we need to start looking
like a team unit and not a collection of individuals. All of these things
are established on the training pitch and reinforced on the field of play.
In making his preparations, Moyes will be acutely aware that he will have
limited time to work with his players on international duty. That creates a
specific difficulty for the Watford match, but it is one that he will
hopefully be able to overcome to get a morale boosting result. That would
set us up nicely to tackle a difficult run of games up to Christmas that
includes: Leicester City (H), Everton (A), Man City (A), Chelsea (H),
Arsenal (H), Stoke City (A) and Newcastle Utd (H).
Moyes will have his minimum points target for that eight match sequence and
we all have our own opinions on that! Regardless, it will make life easier
if we can get off to a positive start and take it from there; rather than
starting with say two poor results and then look to recover it. For me that
positive start is taking a minimum of four points from the Watford and
Leicester City games. It is asking a lot, but obviously the objective must
be to get up the table, and away from the relegation zone, as soon as
possible. No nerve wrecking relegation battle please, I am happy with boring
mid-table mediocrity this season!
If we can do better then great, but safety before May arrives must be the
initial and primary PL target. It will not all go smoothly and there are
likely to be some bumps and poor results along the way, but hopefully we
will get there in the end. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes plans to make West Ham players work until they cry
Jason Burt, chief football correspondent
8 NOVEMBER 2017 • 10:30PM
Telegraph.co.uk
David Moyes intends to be far "more aggressive" as West Ham United manager
even if that reduces the players to tears with the hard work he will demand
of them. At his presentation at West Ham, Moyes portrayed the image of a
manager who has learnt from bitter experience – most recently at Sunderland
where he made a "poor choice in the club I chose" – and, importantly, one
who is determined to grasp the opportunity. "I'm here and I am on a job, I
am on a mission in my own head… I do have a point to prove. I do. Maybe I
have to do that, and show it. Sometimes you have to repair things, and maybe
I've got a little bit to repair," Moyes said. The 54-year-old Scot
explained: "I think I want to be more aggressive now. When I was younger it
was 'this is how it is, take it or leave it'. I think as you get older you
mellow in different ways. Probably in this job, I am going back to being
David Moyes at Preston when players were probably crying at the work or at
Everton in the early days as well."
Moyes' predecessor Slaven Bilic stood accused of not working the players -
and of their fitness statistics being among the lowest in the Premier League
- and Moyes said: "Look, if the players were maybe thinking the work (at
West Ham) had not been hard enough or they maybe had not done enough, okay,
I hope they won't cry if we turn them around and work them harder. I don't
want them to say 'this is too much'. Somewhere along the line,
responsibility has to be taken by the players."
Asked why he had "mellowed" at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and
Sunderland, after his success at first Preston and then over 11 years at
Everton, Moyes said: "I think it is much harder to be the way I was. The way
players are. They cannot take… I would not say the hairdryer treatment. I
don't think they are as accepting and maybe different influences from
different countries. Maybe a different culture and in how they expect it.
But I am in a bit of rush and I will say 'if you don't like it, sorry'. We
might need to upset a few to get where we need to go."
Moyes certainly sounded like a man in a hurry, having signed a contract
until the end of the season, with the option to extend for two more years.
He knows, also, that West Ham are willing to consider other candidates next
summer and that he needs to get results quickly to pull the club out of the
relegation zone and – crucially – win over supporters underwhelmed by his
appointment and frustrated with the owners.
Inevitably Moyes was asked about the so-called "West Ham Way" – a question
that Sam Allardyce, his friend, and a former West Ham manager he had spoken
to before taking the job, had tripped up on with the perceived style of
football. But Moyes said: "I remember Sam saying 'what was the West Ham Way'
at some point. I do think the first thing to do is 'let's get a winning
formula and find a way to win'. I do want to win with attacking football but
ultimately we have to win. I look forward to reaching the standards expected
here."
Moyes drew a parallel between his new club and Everton and spoke of his
experiences, also, at managing as the opposition at Upton Park. "Definitely,
coming to Upton Park, you were nearly 'feart' (afraid), if you understand
what that means it is a Scottish word – feart – because you knew what was
coming. I don't see why it should be any different (at the London Stadium).
Yes, different surrounds, but it should not be any different. That's the way
we want it to be."
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan had admitted appointing Moyes was a
"gamble" and the manager responded: "I think it's a good gamble and I think
if I was a West Ham chairman I would certainly consider David Moyes as
manager, that's for sure."
Interestingly, given how positive his outlook was, Moyes acknowledged that
"losing" had maybe affected his "demeanour" at his recent clubs. He also
said he was unconcerned by the length of contract and that it was now the
way that managers would have short-term deals.
"I don't know if there'll be many managers in the next era, the next decade
or whatever, who will do 11 years at the club," Moyes said. "My ambition is
only short term at the moment because I have to win the games. If you said
to me, "What are you going to do in two years' time?" I'm not going to give
an answer."
Moyes also revealed that during his meetings with West Ham vice-chairman
Karren Brady she had not spoken about his sexism towards BBC reporter Vicki
Sparks, when he was Sunderland manager, having previously criticised him in
her newspaper column for his behaviour.
Moyes added: "I made a mistake. I apologised for the mistake straight away.
We talk to journalists all the time and sometimes it can go the wrong way. I
apologise for that… She (Brady) didn't discuss it at all. It (the column)
was written six months ago."
Moyes also said he was in talks to appoint Stuart Pearce as one of his
assistants.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Moyes vows to take a hard line as West Ham United's new manager
• No more Mr Nice Guy, says successor to Slaven Bilic
• At Preston players were probably crying at the work, Moyes adds
Jacob Steinberg
@JacobSteinberg
Wednesday 8 November 2017 22.30 GMT
David Moyes struck a positive and defiant tone as he insisted that West Ham
United had taken a "good gamble" by appointing him and warned his new
players not to cry about how much he will make them run in training.
After claiming that the squad he has inherited from Slaven Bilic is too
strong to be in a relegation battle, West Ham's new manager said that
improving the team's fitness is high on his agenda. Bilic was sacked on
Monday amid concerns over his training methods, which left many players
feeling unprepared for the physicality of the Premier League, and Moyes said
that he wants to rediscover his old aggression after finishing bottom of the
Premier League with Sunderland last season.
The 54-year-old Scot, who held a double training session before being
unveiled at the London Stadium on Wednesday, is an unpopular choice with
many supporters as Bilic's replacement on an initial six-month contract.
However Moyes said that David Gold and David Sullivan had hired a good
manager. He denied that a sexist comment he made to a female BBC reporter in
March came up in his interview with Karren Brady, even though the club's
vice-chair was critical of his conduct at the time, and instead focused on
statistics showing that Bilic's team had made the fewest sprints and covered
the second-lowest distance in the division this season.
"I think I want to be more aggressive now," Moyes said. "When I was younger
it was: 'This is how it is, take it or leave it.' As you get older you
mellow in different ways. Probably in this job, I am going back to being
David Moyes at Preston when players were probably crying at the work, or at
Everton in the early days as well. If the players were maybe thinking the
work had not been hard enough or they maybe had not done enough, I hope they
won't cry if we work them harder. I don't want them to say: 'This is too
much.' Responsibility has to be taken by the players."
Discipline was a problem under Bilic, who was seen as a soft touch by his
players and the board, and Moyes was clear that anyone who does not work
hard enough will be dropped. With West Ham in 18th place after mustering two
wins from their first 11 games, the Scot intends to ruffle a few feathers.
"I am in a bit of a rush and I will say: 'If you don't like it, sorry,'"
Moyes said. "We might need to upset a few to get where we need to go."
Moyes, who hopes to add Alan Irvine and Stuart Pearce to his staff, has
struggled since leaving Everton for Manchester United in 2013. But he
defended his record at Real Sociedad and dismissed his year at Sunderland as
a mistake, saying that he did not do enough due diligence. Moyes is likely
to earn a two-year deal if West Ham are sufficiently impressed at the end of
the season. "I think it's a good gamble and I think if I was a West Ham
chairman I would certainly consider David Moyes as manager, that's for
sure," he said. "It has been an up and down period but I feel the good times
are still to come.
"The due diligence I've done here is the knowledge that I'm here for a short
period to do the job quickly. We will only have one transfer window, which
is in a month. If there's anything I need I will need to see it quickly. It
maybe needs a tweak here and there."
Moyes, who asked the advice of a predecessor, Sam Allardyce, before taking
the job, was asked whether West Ham are in a relegation fight. "No, not at
all," he said. "It's not totally easy to identify the XI, but we're talking
about a strong squad here."
West Ham have conceded 23 goals, the most in the league. Moyes knows that he
has to tighten the defence, although he is conscious that Allardyce's
pragmatic outlook did not sit well with West Ham's fans. "In our position
the only thing we should be talking about is trying to win," he said.
Moyes, whose first game is at Watford on Sunday week, also called for unity
from the London Stadium crowd. "We don't want it to be a tough place to play
for the home players," he said. "Things will go wrong, there is no doubt
about that. Things just can't go swimmingly good – it's just not possible in
football. When things are going wrong, we need them to stick with us."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 9
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