West Ham United manager David Moyes admits he was pleased by the performance of midfielder Flynn Downes during Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Brentwood-born Hammers supporter, who joined West Ham for a fee of up to £12million in the summer if add-ons are triggered, was recalled to the starting line-up on Sunday for the Hammers’ 2-0 defeat to Spurs, winning his fourth Premier League start.
Of those starts, three have come away from home and all of them have been against sides in the ‘big six’ in Liverpool, Manchester United and now Spurs, with Brazilian Lucas Paqueta injured for all three.
READ NEXT: West Ham’s Alphonse Areola posts cryptic social media message after frustrating Tottenham defeat
Given the unusual nature behind Downes’ starts, especially away at higher profile sides, Moyes was asked about Downes’ performance against Tottenham, with the ex-Swansea City midfielder being replaced in the 72nd minute by Said Benrahma.
Despite taking him off, Moyes was pleased by Downes showing and explained the plan was for him to help keep the game tight before attempting to attack the game late on.
“I thought Flynn did really well,” said Moyes.
“He helps me in doing a little bit when I need a little bit of a tactical change and we changed a little bit tactically today for the start of the game in the hope to get through 60/70 minutes where we could have tried to go again.
“I thought Flynn played well.”
In the game, Downes played more advanced than Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in midfield, with Downes’ average position level with striker Michail Antonio and behind wide forward Jarrod Bowen.
Downes’ 91% pass accuracy was only bettered by Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hobjerg (94%) and Spurs scorer Emerson Royal (93%), with Downes completing 20 of his 22 passes. He also won four of his six duels and gave the ball away just four times. Tottenham’s other scorer Heung-Min Son (3) was the only starting player to give the ball away less often.
READ MORE
Dermot Gallagher and Dion Dublin agree on Thilo Kehrer handball during Tottenham’s West Ham win
How West Ham’s next fixtures compare to Everton, Leeds United, Southampton and Bournemouth
West Ham stance on David Moyes sacking after Tottenham Hotspur defeat
Dion Dublin makes Marcus Rashford West Ham point after Premier League scoring struggles
Tottenham defeat emphasises West Ham’s woes after Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton wins
