West Ham star James Ward-Prowse has aimed an unashamed dig at David Moyes over his tactics ahead of the do-or-die clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
During the first part of the season, James Ward-Prowse contributed to West Ham with several goals and assists, so David Moyes’ summertime pursuit of the player from Southampton for a reported £30 million looked like a wise move. However, as the season has progressed, questions about Ward-Prowse’s potential beyond set-pieces have become more valid, as West Ham has only won four of their last 20 games.
When Moyes’s contract expires this summer, it appears more and more likely that he will quit the Hammers.
The risk-averse mindset and strategy of the Scot is unpopular with many supporters.
particularly since West Ham hasn’t kept a clean sheet in their previous 13 Premier League games, demonstrating that the defensive stability he preaches isn’t being demonstrated on the field.
West Ham have mountain to climb against Leverkusen
During last Thursday’s first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal against Bayer Leverkusen, Moyes went all out defensive, pushing his strategy to new heights.
The players followed the manager’s instructions, but the Hammers gave up two goals late in the game, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the second leg at the London Stadium due to fatigued legs and minds.
In the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal, the Hammers will face the recently crowned German champions with everything on the line.
West Ham will be hoping Leverkusen is still reeling from winning the Bundesliga for the first time.
After losing the first leg 2-0, Moyes’ team is aware that they must find a method to square the score.
To force extra time in the match at the London Stadium, West Ham knows they need to score two goals in quick succession.
Ward-Prowse aims dig at Moyes over tactics
However, they will be unable to do it without Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri, who are both suspended.
And perhaps injury doubts for Konstantinos Mavropanos and Jarrod Bowen as well.
The strategies employed by Moyes in the first leg have infuriated a lot of West Ham supporters. especially considering that the Scot disregarded a German football expert’s advise before the match.
After the match, Michail Antonio made it obvious how he felt, informing Moyes that his strategy for the second leg had to be totally altered.
The West Ham player Ward-Prowse has now openly mocked Moyes’ tactics.
Speaking on West Ham’s official website, the midfield player claimed that Leverkusen was treated with way too much respect by the tactics.
We just need to make the most of our time, learn from the Fulham match, and do what it takes to bounce back stronger, according to Ward-Prowse. “It’s not hard to get yourself up for a European quarter-final,” he said.
Not the first time midfielder has questioned boss
We all know that Leverkusen is a strong team, but in my opinion, we gave them a little too much respect in the first leg and fell short of our potential.
I came to West Ham for these kinds of nights, and I’m sure it will be an incredible show. I hope we can make some more incredible memories in the lighthouse.
Ward-Prowse has previously expressed disapproval of Moyes’ strategies.
Following a victory against Spurs, Ward-Prowse expressed his opinion that the Scot focused too much on neutralizing their opponents during the build-up and not enough on how West Ham’s strong squad could harm their competitors.
And as they turned the game around to win 2-1, he said the players pulled together to demonstrate that they too could play football.
