David Moyes plan emerges for final West Ham United game v Manchester City
Frank McAvennie expects West Ham United to play “very defensively” in their last game of the season against Manchester City but still get battered.
It is also the final game of David Moyes’ second spell as West Ham manager, and the Scot will be hoping to leave on a high note.
However, McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – feels the Hammers will suffer a heavy defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side, who can seal a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title with a win.
“Man City will just batter them,” said McAvennie. “It’ll be an onslaught. And David won’t want to get battered in his last game.
“So I would imagine we’ll go there and we’ll be very defensive. And this is one time I’ll say, ‘I don’t blame you’, because they’re going for the league. Some games you’ve got to play that way – this is one of them. Because I think [City] are going to have their tails up after the win [against Tottenham].
“Hit them on the break if you can. You’re going to need Soucek because of his height, Paqueta you’ve got to play and then you’ve got Bowen and Kudus because they keep the ball. The three of them are good at keeping the ball.
“It’s going to be interesting, it’s going to be a fascinating game. Sorry guys, but I don’t hold too much optimism of getting a result. But stranger things have happened.”
West Ham United will hope to avoid sending David Moyes off with a heavy defeat
West Ham actually went into half-time leading 1-0 in the reverse fixture at the London Stadium on 16 September last year.
However, City roared back and netted three second-half goals through Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.
If the Hammers are unable to affect the Premier League title race by getting a result – and sending Moyes off in style – they would likely settle for a positive performance against a superb side.
In other West Ham news, McAvennie has urged Julen Lopetegui to sell five Hammers players, with a Kurt Zouma exit on the cards.
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