Jonty Banks

Sat 25 February 2023 14:04, UK

West Ham United manager David Moyes has confirmed his starting line-up for the crunch Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 25 February.

The Hammers are currently languishing in the relegation zone following their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Spurs last week and remain five points behind Steve Cooper’s side in the Premier League table.

Confirming the line-up via the club’s official Twitter account, the Scottish manager has made four changes to the side that lost at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last time out.

Ben Johnson comes in for Emerson in defence, while Danny Ings comes into the side for Michail Antonio in attack.

Lucas Paqueta has returned to the starting XI after being out with a shoulder injury and Said Benrahma comes into the starting line-up in place of Flynn Downes. The changes hints towards a move from a back-five to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Six-pointer

The big matches keep on coming for Moyes, and this showdown against Nottingham Forest could go a long way to deciding his future at the London Stadium.

Although the Irons defended admirably in the first half of the clash against Spurs, they offered next to nothing in attack. The flat back-five and three central midfielders in front were not suited by any means to an attacking game plan, but fans would still have hoped for a little more ambition in the final third.

At the end of the day, though, Moyes won’t be judged on a match against Champions League-chasing opposition, but this match is much more in his wheelhouse. Cooper’s team have struggled on the road this season, and the Hammers need to ensure they get the home faithful fully behind the team with a bright start.

The London Stadium has the potential to be the 12th man for Moyes’ men, but the split opinion on his job status has led to an eery atmosphere in recent weeks. A quick start can settle any nerves from both the players and fans and hopefully help West Ham United claim three huge points.