View: Ryan Fredericks is not good enough to be at West Ham after Newcastle shocker
West Ham manager David Moyes made the wrong decision backing Ryan Fredericks in the Irons’ 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
The Scot may have initially opted for the 29-year-old to deal with the electric pace of Allan Saint-Maximin but he should have changed his plans after the Frenchman was ruled out of the London Stadium meeting.
Truthfully, the performance wasn’t good enough from any of the Hammers players, but Fredericks picked up a lot of criticism and being whipped off at halftime certainly didn’t help.
He was replaced by 22-year-old Ben Johnson who has spent most of the season as number two to Vladimir Coufal at right back which makes the decision not to play him bizarre.
Maybe Moyes had already told Fredericks he was starting and didn’t want to upset the Englishman who is struggling for game time this season.
The creative damage already looked to be done with the Hammers failing to get going from the off but that is no fault of Johnson’s.
The academy graduate has shone this season and has certainly overtaken Fredericks in the pecking order which leaves huge question marks over his West Ham future.
Lacklustre
It is very difficult to find the source of the problem, but the Irons just haven’t been good enough in recent weeks.
With there being no key men missing, it could be a case of mental fatigue for the players.
A lot of them have played so many games this season, a lot more than they are probably used to as the club continue to push on all three out of four fronts.
Not only have they played more games, but each game has huge baggage that comes with it. Losses and draws are no longer acceptable and the pressure from the fans because of that is insane.
This amazing but relentless season seems to have taken its toll on some of the players amid the dip in form and Moyes must come up with a solution.
This is the reason why fresh faces were so vital in January to give these players a lift but more importantly, a break when they need it.
In other West Ham news, the club should have signed Wout Weghorst in January – Alex Crook.