Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Jonty Colman

The West Ham situation David Moyes hopes to avoid amid Sam Allardyce’s Leeds United move

West Ham United manager David Moyes admits he does not want to enter the final two games of the season still having to fight for survival in the Premier League.

With four games remaining of the Premier League season, the Hammers sit just four points clear of the relegation zone but in 15th place, with West Ham leading the bottom six and with a decent points advantage of Leicester City, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Southampton below them.

On paper, West Ham have the easiest run of fixtures of the bottom six, based on current league positions, although their toughest two come up first, hosting Manchester United on Sunday before travelling across London to Brentford a week later.

READ MORE: West Ham face Danny Ings dilemma as Lucas Paqueta shows future role in Man City defeat

After that, West Ham’s season in the Premier League ends with a home meeting against Leeds preceding a trip to Leicester on the final day.

To add to the occasion, ex-Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has recently returned to the Premier League to take the reins at Leeds for their final four matches, starting against league leaders Manchester City this weekend.

For Moyes, he hopes that safety is wrapped before that Leeds and Leicester doubleheader, with a focus being on trying to beat Man United on Sunday first up.

West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes reacts prior to the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Ham at the Etihad Stadium (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

“The sooner we get the points required, the better,” said Moyes. I don't think there's a better formula than just saying the next game is the most important, get it done.

“The focus is on Man United and then move on to what's next.”

Speaking on Allardyce’s return, his first managerial role in two years, Moyes said it was great to have the 68-year-old back in England’s top-flight, with Moyes and Allardyce third and fifth in the Premier League’s all-time list of most games managed respectively.

However, Moyes is hoping that Allardyce’s return will not prove to haunt Moyes and West Ham in their quest to survive.

“I’m really pleased Big Sam is back because he’s a terrific football man,” added Moyes. “Well-versed in football and the Premier League.

“I’m pleased to see him back, but I hope it’s not to the detriment of ourselves.”

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.