Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams tell David Moyes to prioritise West Ham Europa League campaign
West Ham should turn their full attentions to their Europa League campaign now after losing to Tottenham on Sunday, according to Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams on BBC Match of the Day 2.
The Hammers were well beaten against their fierce rivals and now sit in 7th place in the table, six points behind Arsenal in fourth having played two games more.
But after progressing to the Europa League quarter-finals by beating Sevilla in midweek, Murphy and Williams praised David Moyes’ side for their season so far but said they should now prioritise Europe.
“They’ve had a great week and they’ve had a brilliant season,” Murphy said. “They’ve punched well above their weight with the squad they’ve got and the money they’ve spent.
“I would personally, if I was David Moyes, be channelling all my energy and making sure all my best players are fit for the Europa League games against Lyon.”
Williams added, “Yeah I think so.
“The league is what it is, they’ve had a good season but for them now, really trying to get somewhere in that [Europa League] has got to be the main priority for them.”
All in
If there’s ever been a time to put their full efforts into a cup competition it’s now.
The Hammers are well off the pace in the hunt for the top four now and it would take a complete capitulation from all three teams above them and a flawless end to their own season to make it up.
However they’re just four positive results away from making a European cup final and with a relatively favourable draw against Ligue 1 strugglers Lyon in the next round it’s very possible.
The semi-finals would see a potential dream tie against Barcelona and they would need to be at their absolute best to get anything from it, but at that point anything is possible.
Moyes should now look to start resting key players ahead of those European fixtures to ensure they’re fresh and raring to go to give them the best opportunity to succeed, or face ending a great season empty handed.
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