David Moyes
West Ham manager David Moyes has admitted that every game this season are important as the Scotsman aims for good runs in the Europa League, Carabao Cup and Premier League. The Hammers are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions as they look to keep this positive momentum going against an indifferent Aston Villa side on Sunday. Their latest Carabao Cup success against Man City has left a feel-good aura around the club at the moment, with all supporters looking ahead to watching this exciting east London outfit perform this season.
David Moyes said: “We’ve had the feelgood factor for over 12 months ever since we got rid of the factor that there was a chance of relegation. That had been hanging over West Ham for a couple of years or maybe even longer but we’re feeling much better than that now. We’re feeling like a side that can be competitive in the league and hopefully the cup competitions as well.”
With West Ham going well in all competitions this season, the sky is the limit for what they could potentially achieve this season. Normally, managers with significantly less squad depth in comparison to the so-called top six Premier League sides set out priorities for how they will attack each competition going in the latter stages but Moyes didn’t want to do that when quizzed on this topic.
David Moyes explained: “Manchester City didn’t lose – we won after a draw on penalty kicks – and they played really well on the night. We were able to get over the line on penalties, but I think it says more about the group and squad we have that they’re all contributing, demanding they have to play with the games we have and the schedule. None of them have let me down at this present of time – they’ve all come up trumps and played really well. All I’m doing is prioritising the next game. I’m certainly not seeing one competition as more important than the other, you just continue to try to do the best you can. I’m certainly not seeing that there are games of lesser value than others, but what I will say is the next game is a Premier League game against Aston Villa and that’s my biggest priority.”
Surprisingly, the large majority of the successes this season, especially in the top flight, have come away from home, meaning this upcoming contest at Villa Park is seen as a game where three points is a must- anything less against this wounded Villa side would be seen as a disappointment. Both of West Ham’s losses have come at home this season against Manchester United and Brentford, with all away contests ending in either draws or victories for the current fourth-placed team in the standings. The Irons boss will certainly hope this continues for an extended period whilst also improving on the home record at the same time.
David Moyes said: “It is a great stat. Last year, I think people thought our away from was to do with crowds, but we’ve started the season away from home well. I also want to have a great home record because I think London Stadium with 60,000 fans in it is a great place to play your football.”
