David Moyes wants to bring a new level to West Ham. The Scottish manager has guided the Hammers into the top four of the Premier League. The club overtook Chelsea in the table after a 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard scored the goals to put West Ham on their way. However, a goal from Lucas Moura was not enough for Spurs to stop the Hammers. Moyes’ side have transformed this season and are punching well above their perceived weight.
"“We have only done half a job, I think if we continue this way we will be close. I don’t want to be negative in anyway. It is a great result for us to beat Spurs with the ambitions that they have and what they have at their disposal.Moyes on West Ham’s win over Spurs"
The win over Tottenham Hotspur was the club’s first win over a ‘Big Six’ team this season. The Hammers had only collected two points against the top teams this season before beating Spurs. Moyes has, however, made West Ham formidable against the other 13 teams.
West Ham are a team transformed this season and are challenging for the Champions League places in the Premier League this season.
West Ham fans are jubilant at the result over their arch-rivals. Many are starting to believe that the club can qualify for Champions League football at the end of the season. Moyes, however, does not want to get carried away and wants to remain ‘calm’.
"“We are enjoying it, but we don’t want to go daft. We would be stupid to say anything and we are going to stay calm about it. Hopefully, we keep going and pressurizing the teams at the top.”Moyes on expectations"
The mentality Moyes has taken is that of realism. Despite the club’s position in the League table, it is still unlikely they will remain near the top. The manager, however, does want West Ham to stay at this new level and be competing higher up the league in the future. This is in preference to returning to the relegation battles that West Ham have been involved in in recent years.
"“What we want is consistency, I think we have had that since after lockdown. That’s the biggest thing I have tried to bring to the club stability and consistency. We might not always be at the top, we may not even be there at the end of the season. But I think this club badly needs a level that is not bobbing around relegation. It’s a great feeling to know that we are challenging for other things.”Moyes wants new level at West Ham"
Moyes has always spoken of the ‘project’ he is working on with the club. It seems that the project is becoming a reality. Even the players have spoken about Moyes instilling his mindset into them. Jarrod Bowen explained last week that the club are just taking it one game at a time and not getting ahead of themselves.
West Ham face both Manchester clubs on either side of a home match against Leeds. If the club can come out of that run of games with at least four points, then a challenge for the top four will look a lot more serious to the rest of the league.