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Danny Murphy tells David Moyes to 'evolve' to get the most from Lucas Paqueta and other West Ham United signings
Danny Murphy has told David Moyes that he must “evolve” to be able to get the most from West Ham United’s summer signings this season.
The Hammers signed eight first-team players during a busy summer transfer window, but have lost five of their opening seven games of the season including their most recent outing against Everton at the weekend.
As they sit in the relegation zone heading into the international break, Murphy told talkSPORT [20 September] that he must find more of a balance between defence and attack if he wants the new signings to start performing better.
“The way West Ham play, which has been consistent and got them success, has to evolve if he wants to integrate people like Paqueta, because he needs the ball,” he said.
“He’s not particularly someone who you’re going to see the best of if he plays in a side that drops off teams and plays counter and sits deep. Because they went to Everton and gave them too much respect.
“I know they’re hard to beat and I know they work off a good foundation, he always has, so you can’t throw that out of the window. But there are certain games against certain opposition where you can be a bit more on the front foot.
“If you’re going to sign Cornet, Paqueta, people like Scamacca, I think they have to be a little bit more adventurous and try and play a little bit more on the front foot.”
Change
Moyes has been a terrific boss for the Hammers since taking over, but there’s nothing wrong with admitting that he needs to do more now to help us go up another level.
Defensively we’ve not been that bad despite the results, with a lot going against us and individual errors costing us. But in attack we’ve really struggled to create chances and have only managed to score three times in seven games.
That’s in part down to missing big chances, but it’s largely due to the fact the team isn’t being given the tools and instructions to do more with the new players in the team.
There is plenty of quality in the squad and there’s no disputing that they must do better than they have been, with one horrific stat coming to light after the Everton defeat that could have Moyes looking over his shoulder if it continues on after the international break.
But there is a chance for him to make him right, and that’s all about listening to Murphy and evolving his game to be more focused on being on the front foot than shutting down the opposition.