Richard Keys shocked at David Moyes move in West Ham United loss to Nottingham Forest
Richard Keys couldn’t believe West Ham boss David Moyes let Declan Rice take the penalty he missed in the loss at Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers slipped to a 1-0 defeat the City Ground, in a game where they also had a goal disallowed and hit the bar twice, and the former Sky Sports host believes they were unlucky on two of those incidents.
He believes Michail Antonio was unfairly penalised for a foul in the build up to Said Benrahma’s first-half strike, and that the handball that led to the penalty should have been accompanied by a red card for the home side, but he was most surprised about letting the captain take a spot kick he isn’t suited for.
Writing in the latest post on his blog, Keys said: “I believe the West Ham goal should’ve stood – but I can also see why it didn’t. What was Antonio supposed to do? It was nothing more than traffic. Poor decision by VAR in my opinion.
“Scott McKenna should’ve been sent off. That was a denial and he knew exactly what he was doing. It doesn’t matter that the keeper was behind him. The law is very straightforward on this. If a player ‘denies a goal scoring opportunity – or a goal’ it’s red. I’ve checked this with two former FIFA refs.
“Then West Ham hand the ball to Rice. As they did I found myself shouting ‘noooooo….’ Why give the ball to a player who has publicly stated that he’s not good at pens and does’t like taking them? I’m really surprised Moyes made that call. I’ll bet Rice doesn’t take another one for them.”
Bad day at the office
The Irons star might be stepping into Mark Noble’s in a few ways these days, but as a reliable penalty taker doesn’t look like one of them.
The now-retired Mr West Ham wasn’t automatic from the spot but there was a lot more confidence in him when he stepped up than when the new skipper put the ball down on Sunday (14 August).
There was an air of reticence about him, and it was odd to see him left to take on the responsibility, which he is the type of character to not back down from.
Surely Benrahma would have been a better choice, in the midst of a strong performance, or even Antonio.
Nothing went in the visitors’ favour in Nottingham, so it was almost expected to see Dean Henderson save the tame effort.
But considering the fact that the two key officiating decisions gave Forest the benefit of the doubt, and two strikes off the bar bounced down the wrong side of the goal line, perhaps it was one of those days where whoever took it would have missed.
It was a miserable day in what has turned out to be a miserable start to the season, with the club now hoping a flurry of transfer activity can help turn the tide.