Journalist offers ‘classic David Moyes’ verdict after Mohammed Kudus waits for West Ham United league start
Paul Brown has revealed he wasn’t surprised by David Moyes’ decision to start Mohammed Kudus from the bench against Liverpool, calling it a “classic” decision from the West Ham United manager.
The Hammers were well beaten by Jurgen Klopp’s Reds on Sunday (24 September) and while they impressed in periods, there was some frustration from fans and pundits alike that Kudus was limited to a short cameo from the bench.
Kudus had impressed in the Hammers’ 3-1 win over TSC Backa Topola, scoring once and forcing a second own goal in one of the brighter attacking displays at the London Stadium. But former Daily Star journalist Brown understands the Hammers manager’s thinking.
Speaking to Give Me Sport (25 September) he said: “I wasn’t that surprised really, no. It’s classic David Moyes and he does like to integrate players very gently when they come into the squad. Playing a team like Liverpool is a big step up from the Europa League, which is essentially a competition that Kudus is more used to.
“That’s a game that he’d be much more comfortable in because it would have been a game more like the ones he played for his previous club. Liverpool is a whole different kettle of fish.”
Time to play
Moyes was always going to take his time introducing his new signing into his side as the Hammers are hoping to give Kudus plenty of time to find his feet in English football before throwing him into the deep end and there aren’t much harder games than the Irons recent league outings.
In their last two games, West Ham have faced Liverpool and Manchester City and giving Kudus his first start in either of those two matches would have been a total baptism of fire for the 23-year-old and could well have dented his confidence.
It also has to be remembered that heading into these two games, Moyes’ side were unbeaten in the Premier League, with Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio in excellent form, so it would have been unfair to drop either player to find a way to fit Kudus into the side.
When the Ghanaian international arrived at the London Stadium for £38 million [Sky Sports] it was always to be a success in the long term, as opposed to an immediate impact, hence the five-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
Kudus will get plenty of chances to start matches for the Irons and his next could well come in Wednesday’s (27 September) Carabao Cup clash with Lincoln City.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has revealed the Hammers made a verbal approach for Armando Broja this summer