Moyes heaps praise on Vlašić after first West Ham United goal v Watford
West Ham manager David Moyes has commended Nikola Vlašić’s efforts in training after his first goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Watford.
Nikola Vlašić is finally off the mark for West Ham. The 24-year-old cemented the club’s victory at Vicarage Road with a late tap-in past goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
However, Moyes suggested the goal had been a long time coming in a post-match interview with Football.London.
After Emmanuel Dennis’ opener for the Hornets, Moyes’ men hit back with strikes from Tomáš Souček and Saïd Benrahma. In the second half, a Mark Noble penalty all but secured the win. But summer signing Vlašić tapped an easy goal into a near open goal to humiliate Ranieri’s side further.
Post-match, Moyes told Football.London: “I think it has felt like a big wait for us all for him to get a goal but he has shown really good finishing [in training] in the work we do. He can score, he is accurate and has power, but he has not really got himself a chance or an opportunity.”
“I have to say today Jarrod made it really easy for him but ultimately, hopefully it will help Niki (Nikola Vlašić) and it is good the players understood how much it meant to him.”
A great option
It’s no secret that West Ham United’s squad lacks an out-and-out centre forward. Michail Antonio is Moyes’ obvious first choice in that position but, since the departure of Sébastien Haller, the club have been without a striker in the traditional sense of the word.
After this game, David Moyes will be safe in the knowledge that his squad is full of goals. Midfield titan Tomáš Souček and superstar wide-man Saïd Benrahma are certainly gifted goalscorers. As are Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen who have excelled this season.
Spaniard Pablo Fornals has also chipped in with four goals this season in the league. Some may argue that their lack of an aerially dominant striker is not a pressing issue. The Hammers have netted 34 league goals this season – more than any club below them in the table and two more than Arsenal who sit one place above them.
However, the addition of a young, physical striker could be a good option for Moyes in January as the club look to secure a European spot.
Copenhagen’s 22-year-old Jonas Wind has been recently linked [Ekstra Bladet] as well as Brentford star Ivan Toney and Canadian striker Cyle Larin, currently shining in Turkey with Beşiktaş.
It remains to be seen whether Moyes will stay loyal to his current crop. Or will the discomfort of Tottenham and Manchester United breathing down his neck force his hand in the market?
In other West Ham news, a key Hammers defender could be on his way to the San Siro.
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