Paul Merson claims PL top-four is out of West Ham’s reach despite ‘phenomenal’ Moyes job
Paul Merson doesn’t think that West Ham will have enough finish in the Champions League places come the end of the season.
The Hammers are up to fourth in the Premier League after a 2-1 win at home to Spurs on Sunday. They’re currently nine points above their London rivals, and five ahead of the champions, Liverpool.
Merson told Sky Sports that David Moyes’ side showed at the weekend that they won’t have enough in the tank to make the top four. He said: “Twenty-five games in and West Ham are in the top four. Its phenomenal what David Moyes has done.
“This is not just five or six games; this is 25 football matches. That’s a big chunk of the season so to get them where they are now is an absolutely phenomenal achievement.
“Despite their superb season so far, I don’t see West Ham lasting the distance, and that means a spot is up for grabs.
“Moyes’ side have been brilliant, but I saw enough in that second half against Spurs to tell me it’s just too much for them to do in the remainder of the season.”
Fancy our chances
Whilst yes, Merson is probably correct to assume we won’t make the top four, we don’t fully agree with his reasoning.
If Sunday is anything to go by, then surely, we have as good a chance as anyone.
We defended for the closes stages of the game with our backs to the wall. The players threw themselves in front of everything and kept Bale, Kane, Son and Dele all off of the scoresheet.
There were two individual pieces of world-class quality to take away from that second half. One being the goal from Jesse Lingard. To finish on his weaker foot from a tight angle, against a world cup winning goalkeeper in Lloris is no easy feat.
Lingard has played in the best competitions in Europe, and featured heavily in the World Cup in which England made the semi-final. His ability and winning mentality has taken West Ham up another level.
The second piece of brilliance was produced by Declan Rice. When Kane broke in down the right, he had Son and Dele to pick from to tap in past Fabianski. Rice got back to make the interception, to what otherwise was a certain goal to level. Our 22-year-old leading by example.
The next four fixtures will be very telling. Trips to Manchester City and United, as well as home ties with Leeds and Arsenal, will shape our season. If we make it through those with some points, we’ll be onto the last nine games. Then we’ll see what we’re made of.
In other West Ham news, Rio Ferdinand has urged Lingard to leave Old Trafford for good.