Pundit: David Moyes must avoid ‘Nonsense’ and play strongest West Ham United team in Europa Conference League semi-final v AZ Alkmaar
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has told David Moyes to stop his rotation “nonsense” and play his strongest team in the Europa Conference League against AZ Alkmaar.
The Hammers head into their second consecutive European semi-final against the Eredivisie side tonight (11 May) having all but secured their Premier League status with a 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday (7 May).
But having rotated his team throughout the tournament so far, Moyes has been warned not to do it for this game after failing at this hurdle last season and to go full strength.
“He’s got to go as strong as possible. You’ve got to win that now. You’re in the semi-finals. Should’ve won it last year but they got beat by [Frankfurt],” he told West Ham Zone.
“He messed about with the team and they got beat so he won’t make that mistake again. Go and beat AZ Alkmaar because it breeds confidence.
“If you win you’re going to the final of the Conference League, you’re buzzing. You go into Sunday and you’re firing about the pitch.
“All this nonsense about rotating I can’t be bothered with it. No, I want to play. Get them settled and used to playing with each other. Change one or two, not five or six.
“Who wouldn’t want to play in a European semi-final? Who would want to sit that out? It’s a European trophy, even if it is just the Conference League. You’ll never be forgotten if you go and win that trophy for West Ham.”