David Moyes believes West Ham can be extremely proud of how a small squad has dealt with a long season as they go into the final day still in the hunt for a top-six finish.
The Irons sit seventh in the Premier League with one match to go, away to Brighton, and trail Manchester United by two points. Moyes’ side have a far superior goal difference, so will believe they can capitalise on any United slip-up against Crystal Palace.
That would see the Hammers match last season’s sixth-placed finish, at the end of a season that has been a memorable one for all associated with the club. Sevilla and Lyon were among the sides knocked out by West Ham as they reached the Europa League semi-finals, where they fell to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
There has also been a run to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, knocking out regular winners Manchester City, and a fifth-round exit in the FA Cup.
European football next season is secured regardless of Sunday’s results, though Moyes and his players will still be hoping that is another crack at the Europa League rather than the third-tier Europa Conference League.
“Going into the final game having already got European football, it is a huge plus for us and a great achievement, but the thought is we could finish sixth again and that after the year we have had with all the competitions,” Moyes said.
“Whatever we have done last year we have been able to maintain this season, which is a good sign, and I hope we can roughly maintain and build on it to get better for next season as well.
“This season we have had 12 extra matches and gone further in the Carabao Cup than we have for a long time, also even in the FA Cup.
“All those things add up as extra games and we have found it quite difficult, but we have also found it quite enjoyable and the European games were incredibly exciting.”
