Sky Sports pundit names David Moyes and West Ham United as surprise of the season so far
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Mackie has named West Ham as his “surprise” of the season so far, with three named as deserving “huge” credit.
The Hammers sit in fourth place after four games on goal difference, with only Manchester City’s 100% record having more points than David Moyes’ side at this stage of the season.
And when asked live on Sky Sports (9 September, 14:08), ex-Reading striker Mackie admitted that Moyes’ side have been a surprise after losing Rice to Arsenal and credited James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen as a big reason for their success.
“I think I’d look at West Ham,” he said. “I think early in the season, or actually before the season started, I believe that David Moyes was favourite in the dreaded sack race the managers don’t like to see.
“Losing a character like Declan Rice I think, I’ve been in changing rooms when a big character goes, and it’s very difficult to know how the rest of the squad is going to react.
“I think bringing Ward-Prowse in, playing three games he’s got a goal and three assists already and I think that he was a brilliant signing and they’ve reacted so well.
“Bowen’s been on fire to start the season and they’ve got ten points after four games. I don’t think many people perhaps would have thought that. So he’s [Moyes] done a fantastic job as he usually does in my opinion, and deserves huge credit for the start.”
Excellent
When Declan Rice signed for Arsenal in a deal worth £105m and West Ham started the season with no new signings against Bournemouth, it was little wonder that people were fearing the worst.
The squad was considerably weaker, there were behind-the-scenes arguments between Moyes and Tim Steidten and nobody knew what was going on with the club.
But fast forward just a few weeks and there is a clear direction in the team. There is a style of play that seems to suit everyone, the mood around the club is good and results are positive.
All the talk of behind-the-scenes politics have disappeared and there is no question that Moyes is the right man to be in charge right now, and that the team is heading in the direction that all the fans want to see it in.
It’s been a good start but we have to keep it going to ensure that we’re back to the level we know we can be, and to prove that last season was just a blip in the road.
In other West Ham news, there could be a mass exodus at the London Stadium this January.