Garth Crooks names West Ham United ace Nayef Aguerd in Premier League team of the week, David Moyes should thank him for easing pressure on his job
Garth Crooks believes David Moyes should thank Nayef Aguerd for easing the pressure on his job at West Ham, and named him in his Premier League team of the week.
The Hammers climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to the Moroccan international’s first goal for the club, helping to lift some of the pressure surrounding Moyes’ future.
And Crooks, writing in his BBC column (4 April), believes Moyes should thank Aguerd for his contributions and feels the 27-year-old is beginning to make a name for himself after picking him as one of the standout performers from this weekend’s fixtures.
“There was absolutely no doubt about the header by Nayef Aguerd but VAR took an age to make its mind up,” he said.
“The Morocco international is quickly making a name for himself at the London stadium while his winning goal against a Southampton side desperate for points was crucial.
“This win for West Ham will do their survival prospects no harm and probably saved David Moyes his job.
“During a weekend when managers seemed to be dropping like flies this victory against the Saints might be the turning point for Moyes and he has Aguerd to thank.”
Repaid
Aguerd came in from Ligue 1 with a small reputation but with a big fee attached to the deal, and West Ham haven’t really seen the best of him yet.
He suffered a very big injury during pre-season and immediately was put on the back foot following his £30m move, but he went to the World Cup with Morocco and was one of their standout performers as they reached the semi-finals.
Since returning from Qatar he has been a brilliant player for the Hammers and has been so resilient in his defending, even when results haven’t gone our way.
So it was fitting that he got the winner against Southampton to pull us out of the relegation zone, and it’s his defending being at such a high level that is likely to keep us in the Premier League for next season too.
The praise is well deserved and Moyes does owe him a big thank you, because that goal could be the reason we stay up and that would be his entire transfer fee repaid immediately.