Nigel Reo-Coker labels David Moyes as his ‘own worst enemy’ at West Ham United
Nigel Reo-Coker believes that David Moyes has been his “own worst enemy” following his team selection in the West Ham United defeat to Olympiacos.
The Hammers were beaten in Greece on 26 October 2-1 after Moyes opted to rest the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio, only to then make it four games without a win with a 1-0 defeat in the Premier League to Everton.
Reo-Coker believes that the Scotsman has only increased the pressure on him at the London Stadium by fielding a weakened team in the Europa League and believes the calls for his sack may increase should the Irons lose to Arsenal on Wednesday (1 November).
Speaking on BBC’s Football Daily (1 November) he said: “Losing to Olympiacos in the Europa League is a big blow. The problem is sometimes when you get this, as much as I want David Moyes to do well, sometimes managers can be their own worst enemy.
“You start your top guys, start them, try and get a one or two-goal lead and then you can take them off. I think not starting Paqueta, Antonio and Bowen in that game was a huge mistake and then you lose that game and it just puts the magnifying glass on you as a manager and the decision you made.
“You lose to Everton at home and then you’ve put yourself in a much more difficult position because if they lose again against Arsenal, then it’s going to be the same noise that we heard last season.”
Magnifying glass
Despite the Europa Conference League success last season, there have always been supporters at the London Stadium who have been critical of Moyes’ management, believing that a different coach would get more out of the West Ham squad.
While that is open to debate, Rio-Coker’s comments are true that the Scotsman’s decision-making in recent weeks has only magnified the unhappiness directed to the Hammers boss and he has left himself open to criticism with baffling tactical decisions.
The likes of Paqeuta and Bowen still had to play almost a half of football to try and rescue the Hammers so wouldn’t have got much rest to save themselves for the clash with Everton, therefore, Moyes would have been better off starting their against Olympiacos.
Should West Ham lose to Arsenal, the calls for Moyes’ sacking are only going to increase and a trip to Brentford next up in the Premier League makes it hard to see where the next win is coming from. Moyes managed to beat away this criticism last season and lead the Irons to success, but it will be hard to do the same again this year.
In other West Ham news, reports have emerged that Moyes will be sacked should he lead the Hammers to six consecutive defeats