David Moyes’ priorities as he returns to manage West Ham
David Moyes has plenty to ponder after being appointed West Ham first-team manager on an 18-month contract.
Moyes replaces Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked on Saturday, and returns to the London Stadium after an interim spell during the 2017-18 season with a number of issues to contend with.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of those issues.
Rocket man
A post shared by West Ham United (@westham) on Dec 30, 2019 at 5:03am PST
Pellegrini indulged his big-money players for far too long. The old-fashioned rocket is needed for a number of under-performing stars. Moyes has already said he wants to find out which players deserve to wear the jersey. There could be one or two casualties if he does not like what he sees.
Channel Ant and Dec
Forever grateful for the trust you showed in me and the opportunities you gave me. Thank you for everything and best of luck for the future⚒ @Ing_Pellegrinipic.twitter.com/kHoFoogiAE
— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) December 29, 2019
Michail Antonio has put his injury problems behind him and is back looking like the player who was on the fringes of the England squad a few seasons ago. Declan Rice is having a tough season but needs time to rediscover his form. Moyes knows both players from his previous spell in charge. They will be crucial to West Ham’s revival.
Angry Anderson
A post shared by Felipe Anderson (@f_andersoon) on Dec 23, 2019 at 8:57am PST
One of the big successes of Moyes’ previous spell in charge was getting a tune out of Marko Arnautovic, turning the brooding Austrian from a flaky winger into a prolific centre-forward. Brazilian playmaker Felipe Anderson is in a similar funk, and if Moyes can get him fired up he could become a pivotal figure.
Wing it
Happy birthday @RyanFredericks_ 🎉🎂
Always bringing the 🔥 on the pitch and the 😂 off it… pic.twitter.com/63EwKWsy91
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 10, 2019
Arthur Masuaku is not a full-back. Neither is Ryan Fredericks. Pellegrini’s rigid four at the back frequently left both exposed. Moyes is likely to switch to three centre-halves, which will free up the speedy duo to play the wing-back role which both are far more suited to.
January sales
"What I will guarantee is that me and the staff will try and get every drop out of the players that we can."
Watch David Moyes' first interview after rejoining West Ham United ⬇️
— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 30, 2019
If Moyes wants to add to his squad he needs to get rid of some dead wood first, and there is plenty of it. Calamity goalkeeper Roberto will be top of the list, although takers might be hard to come by. Carlos Sanchez and Albian Ajeti are unlikely to figure in Moyes’ plans either. Meanwhile, Grady Diangana could be recalled from his loan spell at West Brom.
