Green Street Hammers
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Moyes cost West Ham two points with negative mindset to team selection

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Stoke City at London Stadium on April 16, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 16: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Stoke City at London Stadium on April 16, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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West Ham grabbed an important point last night against Stoke. But it could have been three if Moyes had taken advantage.

Despite having a chance to go 9 points clear of the relegation zone last night, West Ham played it safe. Playing a team low on confidence, sitting 19th in the league, at home most teams would have pushed their advantage. Moyes chose to try and stifle the game

Playing 5-4-1, the Hammers failed to create any chance of note in the first 45. Arnautovic had to fight for everything alone, and there was no support to help him. Mario tried his hardest to get forward, but he was also playing centrally. There was no dynamism to the Hammers attacks.

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So obviously Moyes saw this and changed it up right? He saw that Stoke were the weaker team and there for the taking? Apparently not, because it took him until the 75th minute to change things. By this point, the momentum had been lost and Chicharito was not the fox in the box when he was needed.

And three minutes after the change, Stoke score. Cue Moyes making two more panicky subs as he brings Carroll and Lanzini on to try and rescue a point. Suddenly we’ve gone from controlling a game to lumping balls forward in an attempt to salvaging a draw against a relegation zone side. Madness.

So whilst I blame Joe Hart for the goal, because it was awful keeping, it was Moyes to blame for us even being in that situation. The initial lineup didn’t push our advantages and, when it wasn’t working, he was too slow to change. Lanzini, Chicharito and Carroll could have all been brought on earlier.

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It’s looking more and more likely that Moyes will be West Ham manager next season. However this mentality has to change. When an opportunity to play more attacking football at home comes along you have to take it. Stoke were there to be beaten, but we ended up fighting for a draw. A more positive mindset from the manager changes that game completely.