Sky Sports reporter shares how David Moyes reacted to fan anger in first half of West Ham United v Southampton
Sky Sports reporter Ben Grounds has shared how West Ham manager David Moyes reacted to tension around the London Stadium in the early stages of the Premier League clash with Southampton on Sunday (2 April).
The Hammers supporters were evidently nervous throughout the first 45 minutes, with the club in real danger of being relegated to the Championship.
The tension is undoubtedly heightened due to the fact that their opponents are also in a very precarious position at the bottom of the table, although Nayef Aguerd’s opener eased the nerves.
“David Moyes is already cutting an agitated figure, his left hand in his pocket the other being waved like a conductor’s baton urging his players forward,” Grounds reported live on the Sky Sports website. “Southampton will be quite content with this start.”
Palpable tension
The Hammers simply cannot afford to drop points in this one, particularly given the fact it is against the only club that are below them in the Premier League table.
The fan anger and tension around the London Stadium is, therefore, understandable, with supporters desperate for their side to remain in the top flight.
West Ham are going strong in Europe, and find themselves in the last eight of the Europa Conference League against Belgian outfit Gent.
But the league situation has been the very opposite, with Moyes under huge pressure in the dugout given how disappointing the current Premier League campaign has gone for the club.
With other clubs in and around the relegation zone continuing to pick up points, West Ham will have to do the same in order to secure their safety.
The fixtures will come thick and fast, and worryingly Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all still need to make the trip to East London, while the Hammers must make the trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City.